Certified Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Certified Peer Support Specialist

Department: BridgeWays

Job Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Clinical Manager

Pay Range

Minimum: $ 15.00

Midpoint: $18.75

Maximum: $22.50

Why Work Here

At MRC Industries, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation, values diversity, and promotes professional growth. We are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment and community engagement. Join a team committed to fostering inclusivity and making a positive impact on people's lives.

Job Summary

Working as a Peer Specialist, you will be responsible for modeling a recovery-based lifestyle and sharing your personal story and experience to help people receiving services or experiencing mental illness achieve their own recovery. Assists Case Managers in providing support to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse. Assists team with the intake process, facilitates and leads peer groups. Assists individuals in completing pre-plan paperwork, identifying recovery goals, determining interventions and strategies, linking to and coordinating transportation to necessary appointments. Assists in health and medication related issues with providers, assists with focus groups to assess satisfaction and outcomes and ensures all required documentation is maintained. Provides advocacy and support to those using community-based groups that support recovery.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist individuals in identifying recovery goals that will help them reach their desired life outcomes.
• Assist individuals in determining interventions and strategies based on their recovery goals that we can assist them with through the use of support, education, motivation and direct skills training.
• Be an active member of the Person-Centered process for the individuals you are working with.
• Provide advocacy and support for those using community-based groups that support recovery.
• Assist individuals with linking to and coordinating transportation to necessary appointments.
• Assist individuals with discussing medication and health issues during doctor appointments to explore approaches to increased wellness.
• Observe and document progress individuals make toward meeting recovery goals and desired life outcomes.
• Assist with focus groups of people served to receive customer input on satisfaction and outcomes.
• Assure required documentation is maintained.
• Actively support and be knowledgeable about:
• Culturally competent, recovery-based practices.
• Person-centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual who defines his or her own life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals.
• A trauma informed culture to aid consumers in their recovery process.
• Completes other miscellaneous duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be supportive of a team approach to recovery, organized and able to effectively coordinate with several other team members to provide quality and effective services.
• Knowledge and support of culturally competent, recovery-based practices.
• Must have ability to engage new individuals into services.
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills, motivation, and negotiation skills; organizational ability and problem-solving skills needed.
• Must have basic computer knowledge, including understanding of smart phones, Microsoft Windows, Outlook calendar, use of email, and familiarity with utilization of Electronic Health Record
• Criminal records, driving and recipient rights screening required.
• Valid Michigan driver's license, good driving record and the availability of licensed, insured vehicle for use on the job required.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Certified Peer Support Specialist designation required.
• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Must be knowledgeable about the effects of chronic and persistent mental illness and substance abuse on a person's life from personal experience.
• Lived experiences with behavioral health are desired.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. Walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or bending as appropriate.
• Physical ability to work in front of and view a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.
• May occasionally require lifting up to 35 pounds.
• Requires coordination of hands and eyes or hands and feet.
• Ability to meet intervention certification requirements (MANDT).
  
  

Work Conditions

• Office environment
• Local travel throughout the greater Kalamazoo area
• May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and parasites.