CSC Peer Support Specialist (Hays County MH Center)

Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers is seeking a Coordinated Specialty Care PeerSupport Specialist. The role emphasizes recovery-oriented services for adults experiencing their first psychosis episode, delivered in the community or at home to promote independence and cognitive stability.

You must be active in your own recovery, complete the Peer Specialist pre-qualification, and pursue MHPS certification as required by state rules, while collaborating with the CSC

Qualifications

• Have personal experience with mental health challenges and recovery.
• Be willing to become certified as Mental Health Peer Support Specialist.
• Maintain a valid Texas driver’s license and auto insurance.
• Complete CPR and Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior training within 3 months.

Responsibilities

• You will provide peer support services in the community and/or home.
• You will coordinate with the CSC treatment team to support recovery goals.
• You will organize and facilitate peer support activities and ensure documentation.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Help us help others:

The Coordinated Specialty Care PeerSupport Specialist role is held by someone who has first-hand experience withemotional and/or mental distress (often called mental illness) and who hasactively engaged in a process of self-discovery and/or recovery related to thosestruggles. As an integrated member of the CSC treatment team, peer support services are designed to offer recoveryoriented behavioral health services to adultswho are experiencing their first episode of psychosis, with a goal ofrestoring cognitive functioning, strengthen natural supports, stabilizingpsychiatric symptoms, and developing a clear path to recovery. These servicesmay be provided to a person, or a group, and are aimed at assisting in thecreation of skills to promote long-term, sustainable recovery. This positionassists the team and individual to maximize and enhance individuals experienceand choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning andcoordination of services. Peer Specialists form hope-based relationships thatsupport learning and growing through challenge and crisis. This position iscommitted to meeting the individual where they are and providing services inthe community and/or in the home as appropriate. It is imperative a MentalHealth Peer Specialist (MHPS) be active and stable in their recovery. Must complete and pre-qualify as a PeerSpecialist as demonstrated in the completion of the self-assessment prior to beingaccepted for employment. Must pass and maintain certification requirements for MHPSCertification as outlined by internal and State specified requirements.

You will get to:

Leadership:

• Provide practical real-worldsupport in coping with life's day-to-day demands through modeling andcoaching approaches to mental health recovery
• Promote the value of self-help,peer support and personal empowerment to foster recovery
• Coach individuals in positiveskill-building techniques for improved life management (e.g., problemsolving, identifying and overcoming fears and negative self-talk)
• Model effective coping techniquesand self-help strategies
• Organize, plan, and facilitate,peer support groups
• Effectively manage conflict,promote change and growth, and inspire the development of all individualsserved
• Look for growth opportunities inthe system of care, and voice growth and development ideas to supervisorto continuously improve services provided through peer support.
• Manage a schedule to keepindividuals served informed and updated on activities.
• Attends work regularly inaccordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Remains active and stable inone's own recovery to model and demonstrate progress toward mental healthgoals.

Program Operational Functions:

• Interact positively and incooperation with other members of the organization and team, includingactive participation in supervision activities, team meetings, continuingeducation, etc.
• Maintains data tracking systemsin an organized manner to comply with reporting and auditing requests in atimely fashion
• Complete all documentation andreporting requirements thoroughly and on time

Work Behaviors:

• Maintains comprehensivedocumentation that meets or exceeds Department of State Health Services(DSHS) standards, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)standards
• Utilizes CollaborativeDocumentation and 95% of all documentation entered within 24 hours
• Person Centered RecoveryPlanning/Treatment Plan is developed in collaboration with the treatmentteam/individual/family served and any other person or provider requestedby the individual /family within 10 days of admission
• Coordinate discharge plans, trackreferrals, and provide follow-up on individuals who are released from theprogram
• Comply with HIPAA and ProtectedHealth Information (PHI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII)policies/rules/laws/regulations to ensure confidentiality of all clientinformation
• Comply with all HCMHDDC policiesand procedures; including the completion of all required training
• Ensures timely communicationwithin the department and with other departments and agencies via writtencorrespondence, email, telephones and other means to ensure project followthrough and completion
• Value and respect everyindividual's recovery experience
• Engage individuals in services inthe progression of person-centered recovery goals/objectives
• Provide face-to-face servicehours to reach or exceed performance goals
• Schedule one to one appointments.This may include home visits
• Must be eager to promote the peersupport program. This included engaging individuals in existingservices or new to services into the peer support program; this mayinclude introductory calls (cold calls), greeting individuals waiting forservices (in waiting areas), presenting information in a public setting,etc.
• Provide timely notice toindividuals served, and supervisor, clinic director, and other necessaryteam members on changes to group schedules, appointments, etc.
• Maintains staff kept an appointmentrate of 90% and a client missed appointment rate of 25% or below.
• Responsible for documenting andentering missed appointments.
• A valid driver's license, andinsurance is required as routine driving and/or transportation isrequired.
• A willingness to share yourpersonal experience of mental health recovery is essential.
• Develop meaningful, innovativeand impactful group engagement activities, based on the needs of theindividuals of the group; with a Whole Health approach

You'll definitely need:

• High school diploma/GED
• Have personal experience with mental health challenges and recovery and demonstrate resilience and stability in your own journey.
• Become certified as Mental Health Peer Support Specialist
• Maintain valid Texas state Driver's License and auto insurance.
• To complete and maintain both CPR certification and Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behavior training within the first 3 months of employment

We're excited to provide:

• PPO health insurance plan withoption to add dependents.
• PPO dental plan and visioninsurance options for healthy teeth and eyes.
• Employer paid life insurance.
• 401(a) plan, employer matchesyour contributions dollar for dollar up to 8% of your salary. You are 100%vested after 3 years of service.
• 457/403(b) plan, employees areimmediately eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings.
• Generous paid time off for funand vacations and paid sick time for when you're under the weather.
• Authentic and caring environmentwhere folks care about each other and want to do good in the world.