Certified Peer Specialist - CPS

PATH (People Acting to Help), Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Annual raises

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

No-cost pension plan

Professional development

Advancement opportunities

PSLF eligibility

Referral bonus for referrals

Job summary

PATH (People Acting to Help), Inc. is a comprehensive community behavioral health center in Northeast Philadelphia.

The role focuses on peer counseling, helping individuals achieve self-determined goals and empowerment through recovery, with expectations of collaboration across an interdisciplinary team. The position requires an Associate Degree or high school diploma (GED) with a Pennsylvania Peer Specialist certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Assist program participants to set self-determined goals.
• Provide peer support and psychoeducation to participants.
• Help promote self-directed recovery and empowerment.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling to program participants.
• Support recovery planning and goal setting with participants.
• Educate team members to foster understanding of patient experiences.
• Address stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
• Promote participant rights and prompt reporting of grievances.
• Help develop peer support groups and leadership within the program.

Skills

Peer counseling

Team collaboration

On-call availability

Empathy and active listening

Education

Associate or high school diploma/GED; Peer certification preferred

Job description

About Path Inc. PATH (People Acting to Help) Inc. is a comprehensive Community Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Center. We offer a wide of array of services and supports to meet the needs of our community in Northeast Philadelphia. PATH regularly achieves the highest levels of accreditation including a 5 Star Provider Rating by CBH, Philadelphia’s Managed Care Entity, and recognition and awards related to our high-quality, innovative programs and staff accomplishments and contributions.

About Path Inc. PATH (People Acting to Help) Inc. is a comprehensive Community Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Center. We offer a wide of array of services and supports to meet the needs of our community in Northeast Philadelphia. PATH regularly achieves the highest levels of accreditation including a 5 Star Provider Rating by CBH, Philadelphia’s Managed Care Entity, and recognition and awards related to our high-quality, innovative programs and staff accomplishments and contributions.

Our Mission? To Help Individuals Achieve a More Independent and Fulfilling Life.

WHY WORK AT PATH?

A Career with Meaning At PATH, our team members are at the heart of what we do, so we work hard to give them the best reasons to work here — and to stay here. In addition to the satisfaction of making a real difference in people's lives, we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Annual increases
• Performance and longevity bonuses
• Comprehensive benefits package for staff and family
• Generous amount of paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time
• No-cost pension plan
• Ongoing professional development opportunities, including licensure supervision
• Cutting-edge treatment facility, resources, and treatment modalities
• Opportunities for advancement and growth within the organization
• Eligible for the Federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Referral bonus for referring a friend who accepts employment

Job Summary

To promote the mission of PATH to help individuals achieve a more independent and fulfilling life by being an effective team member. This member of the ACT multidisciplinary team has the responsibility to carry out and promote self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery. To assist program participants to regain control over their own lives and their own recovery process.

Qualifications

• An Associate Degree or high school diploma or GED and at least one year of paid or volunteer work; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required.
• Internships and other supervised practical experience in a clinical or rehabilitation setting with persons with mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.
• Experience working in the social services.
• Pennsylvania Certified Peer Specialist certification required.
• Valid Driver's License and vehicle required.
• Must be available or scheduled emergency on-call service and will be required to carry a mobile phone during regularly scheduled working hours and scheduled on-call service as essential personnel may be required to report to work during emergencies including inclement weather.

Specific Duties

• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary recovery team, provide program participants with peer counseling and support to identify self-determined goals.
• Act as an informal educator to other team members to facilitate understanding and empathy with each person’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which self-determination and decision-making in recovery planning are supported.
• Assist program participants in identifying, understanding, and combating stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self- stigma..
• Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of participant’s rights and to improve their knowledge of program participants’ rights and grievance or complaint.
• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, teach and support the development of peer support groups including promoting the development of peer group leadership.

Physical Demands

Frequent talking and listening. Requires the ability to lift, carry, hold, kneel, reach, stack, stoop and bend.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law .