Certified Peer Specialist

C A R E CENTER INC; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

Retirement plan with agency match

Tuition discounts

Career advancement opportunities

Generous time off for eligible staff

Be an SPHS Hero!

Job summary

CARE Center Inc. in Washington, PA is seeking a Peer Specialist to provide person-centered services to individuals with serious mental illness, helping them gain control over recovery and community integration.

The role emphasizes engagement in recovery, development of individual recovery plans, and education for clients, families, and staff about recovery processes and reducing stigma. Strong commitment to confidentiality and ethical guidelines is essential.

Qualifications

• Must have personal experience with serious mental illness.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Must complete Peer Specialist Certification Training Program.
• Demonstrates knowledge of peer support and recovery principles.
• At least 12 months of paid work or 24 credit hours in the last 3 years.
• Not excluded from Medicare/Medicaid or federal health care programs.
• Must obtain required clearances (Criminal History, Child Abuse, FBI).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with individuals and families to implement recovery plans.
• Support recovery phases: engagement, initiation, stabilization, maintenance.
• Educate on recovery, stigma, and barriers.
• Provide person-centered services and supports.
• Help access community resources to meet basic needs.
• Support crisis services and development of community roles.
• Maintain confidentiality per laws and agency policies.

Skills

Peer support

Recovery principles

Personal experience with SMI

Education

High school diploma or GED

Peer Specialist Certification Training Program

Job description

Job Location: CARE Center- Washington Location - Washington, PA 15301

Position Type: Full Time

Overall Function

Will provide person-centered services to persons with serious mental illness, to help them gain control over their individual recovery and community integration.

Essential Functions

• Works with individuals and their families involved in behavioral health services to develop and implement their Individual Recovery Plans.
• Assists individuals in meeting their recovery goals by utilizing the phases of recovery: engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
• Educates individuals, family members, and professional staff about the recovery process, the damaging role that stigma can play in understanding recovery, and offers support related to obstacles often encountered during the recovery process.
• Provides individualized person-centered services/support to assigned individuals.
• Provides vision-driven hope and encouragement regarding opportunities for varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (i.e., work, school, relationships, physical activities, and self-directed hobbies) as outlined in their Individual Recovery Plan.
• Facilitates access to various community resources to ensure basic needs are met.
• Pee Specialist services will include various structured therapeutic activities such as: Crisis Support, Development of Community roles and natural supports, Individual Advocacy, Wellness and Self-Maintenance, and Social Network.
• Adheres to all policies, laws, regulations, and codes of ethics and confidentiality as outlined by federal and state laws, and agency policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Self-identifies personal experience with Serious Mental Illness and mental health or co-occurring services.
• Has a high school diploma or GED.
• Must successfully complete and pass a Peer Specialist Certification Training Program in accordance with DPW guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in peer support and recovery principles, values, and practice through participation in county-approved certified peer specialist orientation/training/professional development programs.
• Has maintained, within the last three (3) years, at least 12 months of successful full or part-time paid or voluntary work experience or one year of post-secondary education experience totaling 24 credit hours.
• Must not be excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal health care programs.
• Must successfully obtain Criminal History from the PA State Police, Child Abuse Clearance from the PA Department of Human Services, and FBI Fingerprint Clearances.

Available Benefits

• Medical and dental benefits are available to eligible employees.
• Retirement plan with potential for agency match.
• Tuition discounts with partnering colleges and universities.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Generous time off for eligible employees.
• Be an SPHS Hero!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER