What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Specialist Certified GA position at Step Up On Second, Inc?
REPORTS TO: Program Manager
HOURS: Full time
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
REQUISITION NUMBER: 1610
SUMMARY: The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) will provide outreach and engagement in community settings, and in-person peer support services that promote socialization, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of community living skills to a case load of up to 25 members placed in scattered site housing in the community. The CPS will be a member of a field-based interdisciplinary team formed to expand Step Up’s successful permanent housing model to the Metro Atlanta area. The team will provide field-based, in-home permanent supportive housing services to adults experiencing chronic homelessness, co-occurring mental health, substance use and medical disabilities living in scattered site housing in the community.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rehabilitative Skill Building, Recovery Supports and Independent Living
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Meets with assigned members individually through weekly/monthly in-person home visits and or telehealth session to provide peer support services and interventions, to review progress toward goals and ensure housing stability.
- Use personal experience to coach members on independent living skills, good neighbor habits, relapse prevention planning, and the acquisition of skills needed to manage symptoms of their mental illness and substance use in their new living environment.
- Assist members to build social and interpersonal skills; increase benefits and income; and support vocational choices overcoming job-related anxiety and choosing positions that match their strengths.
- Models effective coping techniques, self-advocacy skills and self-help strategies and facilitate linkages to life skills groups, recreational opportunities, and community-based services.
- During home visits, monitor members for warning signs of de-compensation and crisis that lead to lease violations, and coordinate with the treatment team, community resources and property to respond accordingly.
Data Collection and Record Keeping
- Using the GIRP note format, document all HSP services provided to clients and collateral contacts as required by DBHDD and Step Up in Welligent and Step Up databases.
- Process all DBHDD, GHV, Step Up and Housing paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.
- Attend staff meetings, supervision and training as required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Experience working as a Certified Peer Specialist with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges in a community setting. Knowledge of Relias trainings and basic problem-solving strategies that support recovery and independent living and the ability to teach those skills to persons struggling with severe mental illness. An understanding and commitment to psychosocial rehabilitation philosophies and can work as part of a team. Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, BIRP/GIRP Note format a must. Must have own transportation, a current Georgia driver’s license and insurance with a good driving record.
Required education:
- High School Diploma
Required experience:
A Georgia-certified Peer Specialist with minimum of 1-year Peer Specialist experience working with homeless adults diagnosed with a mental illness and substance use in community settings.
Required license or certification:
- Georgia Certified Peer Specialist
- Georgia Driver’s License
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.
Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.
STEP UP CORE VALUES
HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.
WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.
VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.
RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.
COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.
Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
