Certified Peer Specialist - Extended Acute Inpatient - Day/Eve

WellSpan Health; Lebanon (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Peer Support Specialist to contribute to the recovery and wellness of individuals facing mental health challenges. In this rewarding role, you will leverage your personal experiences to guide and encourage patients, helping them navigate their recovery journey. Your responsibilities will include providing side-by-side support, educating individuals about mental health symptoms, and fostering a supportive community environment. Join a compassionate team committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others and be part of a comprehensive healthcare solution that values equity and wellness.

Qualifications

• Experience in navigating mental health systems is essential.
• Excellent communication skills are required for peer support.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and encouragement to patients in recovery.
• Assist peers with rehabilitation and social support.
• Educate patients about mental illness and symptoms.

Skills

Human Relations Skills

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Knowledge of Mental Health System

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Full-time, Day/Eve

12pm-8:30pm

80 hrs/2 weeks

General Summary

Contributes in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness by sharing his/her personal/practical experience and first-hand knowledge to the team and clients. Provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients to have a satisfying life. Serves as a role model for recovery for both staff and peers and partners with peers in developing recovery tools and building support networks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Draws on common experiences as a peer to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Assists designated peers with rehabilitation social support, advocacy, educational and vocational mentoring, and self-maintenance.
• Provides side-by-side support and coaching to help patients socialize, such as going with a patient to the grocery store, movies, library, etc. during program hours of operation which may require use of staff's personal vehicle.
• Supports patient participation in community self-help groups.
• Coaches or teaches basic individual living skills, such as food preparation, meal planning, laundry, bill payment and personal hygiene.
• Provides education about symptoms of mental illness to assist patients in understanding their mental illness and identifying relapse symptoms.
• Works with patients in supporting their individual choice and preference regarding medications, under the direction of the physician and nursing staff.
• Promotes participation in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD) planning among peers.
• Partners with peers to create, review and attain goals on the Individual Recovery Plan.
• Completes necessary documentation for each peer encounter (i.e. service activity, contact sheets, etc.) within 48 hours of encounter.
• Completes monthly log of services provided.
• Acquires knowledge or resources in assigned county/counites while maintaining an excellent working relationship with all providers.
• Acts as a liaison with other community agencies/groups, funding sources and businesses that relate to the services provided to peers.
• Participates in the on-call system according to WellSpan Philhaven ACT policy.

Common Expectations:

• Attends all meetings with supervisor, staff, and clients as well as trainings and in-services.
• Reinforces hope and the potential for recovery to peers and others.
• Encourages and provides support for peers to advocate for themselves.
• Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Completes yearly annual safety education modules in compliance with WellSpan Philhaven policy.
• Performs and participates in outcome measurement, performance improvement and customer satisfaction studies designed to measure and improve the quality of services delivered.
• Contributes to a safe work environment through knowledge and practice of safe behavioral management practices, fire safety, physical plant safety, safe emergency practices, and universal precautions for bodily fluids
• Provides after hours telephone support to enrolled peers as assigned (Pager rotated among staff on a monthly basis).
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience:

• Experience in navigating/personal knowledge and experience in the mental health system. Required
• 1 year General work/volunteer/credit hour experience. Preferred and
• Professional office work experience. Preferred

Licenses:

• Certified Peer Specialist Upon Hire Required

Driver's License Statement:

Must possess a valid driver's license in the current state of residence. Driving record must meet requirements established by WellSpan Risk Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent human relations and oral/written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and ability in the care and support of individuals in a specific age group.

WellSpan Health's vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region's largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.

WellSpan Philhaven

Situated on more than 200 acres, WellSpan Philhaven's main campus in Mt. Gretna, PA, is a tranquil place with walking trails nestled within a picturesque forest and adjacent to an operating farm. The campus provides an atmosphere of peace and serenity for our clients. Our most comprehensive continuum of care, which includes more than 20 programs and services is located at this main campus.

At WellSpan Philhaven, we help address mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and more.