Peer Support Specialist / Client Advocate I (Catawba)

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

SCRS retirement

State ORP retirement

Job summary

SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) – Office of Mental Health is seeking a Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Client Advocate I to help individuals and families navigate life challenges toward long-term wellness.

The role is based at the Catawba Community Mental Health Center in Rock Hill, SC, delivering peer-led groups, mentoring, and social resource navigation in multiple settings. You will work with a dedicated team to promote recovery and continuity of care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor's degree may substitute.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Self-identify with MI/SU and two years of sustained recovery.
• Completed 100 hours of supervised peer support services.
• Valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care hours and mentor, recovery coaching, peer-led groups and navigation.
• Document all services per state, federal, and CARF guidelines.
• Complete required training and maintain PSS certification.
• Participate in BHDD PSS meetings and trainings.
• Deliver peer support in center, community and group settings.
• Ensure continuity of care with follow-up contacts.

Skills

Peer support

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy

Recovery teaching

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree substitution allowed

Job description

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) / Client Advocate I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Catawba Community Mental Health Center (CCMHC), 205 Piedmont Blvd, Suite 100, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

Responsibilities for the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) / Client Advocate I include:

• Provide patient care hours annually ensuring that patients are seen in accordance with Level of Care (LOC) and prior authorizations are completed prior to delivery of services. This includes individual and group services in a variety of settings/locations. Peer support services include mentoring, recovery coaching, peer-led groups, and navigation for social needs (e.g. housing, food).
• Document all services using collaborative documentation and in accordance with state, federal, and CARF guidelines.
• Comply with Corporate Compliance and Risk Management Plans.
• Complete required training, SCEIS training modules, and maintain PSS Certification.
• Participation in BHDD PSS meetings / trainings.
• Demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.
• Provide follow-up contacts to persons served in PSS program to ensure continuity of care and promotion of recovery.

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience.
• A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Self-identify as a person diagnosed with mental illness (MI) / substance use (SU).
• Demonstrate two (2) years of sustained recovery without relapse.
• Completed 100 hours of supervised, paid, or volunteer work providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with MI, SU, or co-occurring disorder.
• Valid Driver's License to operate a state vehicle.

• This position may deliver services in center locations and in the community.
• The certification for this position requires demonstrated recovery of two (2) years. In order to verify this, applicants selected for interview will be required to provide a limited release authorization for the agency to contact their provider(s) to verify their dates of service and recovery process.

Post hire, employees must:

• If currently not certified, must obtain PSS Certification in the first available SC SHARE PSS training.
• Maintain PSS Certification.
• Be able to communicate orally and in writing.
• Have effective problem-solving skills and decision-making skills.
• Have knowledge of agency and community resources and ability to link individuals with resources.
• Be able to effectively teach how to take responsibility for receovery.
• Be able to effectively advocate for patient needs.
• Be able to effectively collaborate with treatment team.
• Be able to demonstrate sustained recovers.
• Participate in State Peer Support meeting, trainings, and center trainings.
• Deliver peer support to patients in individual, community, and group settings.
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education training annually of which at least 12 hours are face to face training.

This position is considered essential and may be called back during crisses / disasters / emergencies.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.