Peer Specialist- WES Care

JOB TITLE : Certified Peer Specialist $18-$20 / hr.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION :

The Philadelphia Model : Integrating behavioral health services in Long-Term Care (LTC) will provide highly st111ct11red therapeutic residential behavioral healthcare and treatment for frail adults who are eligible for skilled nursing level of care who also have serious mental illness (SMI) and who have reached maximum benefit from the mental health resources available elsewhere in the community or hospital. The program philosophy is to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment where frail older adults with serious mental illness that may include other complex behavioral health needs and / or prior criminal history - and need long-term skilled nursing services - can receive the care and services needed to address their holistic needs free of stigma. A multi-disciplinary team will provide both long-term care and behavioral health services in this integrated program.

All team members will adhere to the WES CARE at West Park philosophy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and adhere to the mission to promote total wellness and provide high-quality residential health services to culturally diverse populations through a combination of compassion, innovative thinking, nimble and adaptive strategy, and engagement with clients, staff, and provider partners.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES :

This is a behavioral health position where the individual is held to high professional standards. The person occupying this position will foster supportive peer relationships with and among persons in recovery to empower them to act on issues affecting their lives, including health, education, problem-solving, self-esteem, and positive coI11ll1unication. It is essential that the Certified Peer Specialist demonstrate a personal belief in recovery, a sincere interest in the welfare of persons in recovery who live in a nursing home, and the ability to engage individuals with flexibility and an individualized focus. The CPS will promote and contribute positively to the program and program relationships. The Certified Peer Specialist will assist individuals in identifying their personal interests and goals in relation to recovery and assist with identifying and linking him / her to possible matches and opportunities between their interests, nursing home, and community resources. Certified Peer Specialists will provide education about addiction and recovery to individuals, families, and communities. CPS will create strategies to increase recovery success and help individuals make connections to other service systems. The Certified Peer Specialist will visit the Person in Recovery as part of outreach support when needed. The CPS will be required to work flexible hours on and off-site depending on program needs and structure between Monday and Sunday. The individual is to be supervised by the Program Director.

ESSENTIAL & CORE FUNCTIONS :

I.  Acts as an integral member of the WES CARE at West Park Team.

2.    Provides a role model for persons in recovery, other staff, and family members.

3.     Instills hope in the recovery process by sharing personal experiences of recovery and process.

4.    Assists in the development of a culture of recovery and peer support by engaging in and supporting peer relationships.

5.    Assists with evaluating an individual's recovery needs, interests, and progress towards personal wellness. Appropriately engages with persons in recovery and supports them in identifying strengths, existing supports, and community resources.

7.    Assertively supports connections to community-based, mutual self-help groups or other groups in the nursing home.

8.    Supports persons in recovery in building and strengthening linkages with community resources and family members.

9.    Attends and completes all mandatory staff training.

10. Attends all scheduled supervision sessions with immediate supervisor or designee.

11. Plan and develop groups appropriate to the needs, interests, and desires of nursing home residents. This can include helping individuals actively participate in creating / maintaining their care plans, creating Psychiatric Advanced Directives, and creating peer support.

12. Provide individual support to residents with changes in their medical condition who want to participate in resident council, connecting to families, attending care conference or other activities in the nursing home in addition to providing support in crisis as part of a team.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES :

1.       Performs other duties and special projects as assigned. Work in partnership with program staff to ensure that ongoing nursing home, community integration activities, and outreach continue for all program graduates. Co-facilitate a community re-entry group for individuals who leave the program.

PREREQUISITES & QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION :

I.  Peer Specialist Certification required.

2.      A self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to nursing home residents who are now using those services.

3.     High school diploma or GED.

4.      Within the last three years, there have been 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) of full or part-time paid or volunteer experience in the co-occurring field.

5.      Ability to establish trusting and collaborative relationships with their peers.

6.      Commitment to recovery, choice, empowerment, and the ability of people with serious mental illness or co­ occt11Ting disorders to live meaningful lives in the community.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

1.       Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

2.       Ability to work independently.

3.       Excellent oral and written communication skills.

4.       Knowledge and experience with co-occurring disorders.

5.      Promotes self-determination and independence for consumer empowerment.

6.       Promotes and builds positive self-images in consumers.

7.       Empowers people in recovery to create a sense of purpose in life and engage in activities that support their goals and interests.

8.       Competent computer skills knowledge and use.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS :

1.     The individual is to be supervised by the Program Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While perfo1ming the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; wallc; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds.

The job requires specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Salary : $18 - $20