Peer Support Specialist (Covenant House)

CNS Healthcare; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Dental, vision, life insurance

Retirement program with match

PTO 18 days annually

16 paid holidays including floating

Paid parental leave

Student loan forgiveness eligibility (

Job summary

CNS Healthcare seeks a Peer Support Specialist assigned to Covenant House Michigan to mentor young people aged 18–24. You will support individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, foster community inclusion, and link them to services and resources in a trauma-informed approach.

Position offers comprehensive benefits, paid time off, and PSLF eligibility while emphasizing recovery, resilience, and self-determination in daily activities and planning.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid and unrestricted Driver’s License.
• Transportation or automobile accessibility with current auto insurance.
• Meet eligibility requirements for State of Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team with diverse populations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Personal lived experience with a mental health condition and recovery.

Responsibilities

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing activities of daily life.
• Assist individuals with connecting to mental health services and scheduling appointments.
• Connects and supports individuals in linking to community resources for stability and life skills.
• Facilitates wellness groups and coaching addressing transition to adulthood and autonomous functioning.
• Attend team meetings and receive assignments from supervisor.
• Promote client decision-making and participate in the PCP process.
• Assist with deescalating crisis situations and implementing goals from PCP.
• Attend outings to enhance socialization and provide instruction-based assistance.

Skills

Mentoring

Lived experience

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

What We Are Looking For

As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, CNS Healthcare's mission is to serve the people of our communities. We are seeking candidates that have a passion for mentoring to help people achieve community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, and productivity. Our ideal candidate has a special ability to gain the trust and respect of the individuals we serve based on shared experiences.

Peer Support Specialist at Covenant House Michigan

The Peer Support Specialist is assigned to Covenant House Michigan, where shelter and hope is provided to young people ages 18 – 24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Peer Support Specialist works closely with individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, acting as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: sharing lived experience, achieving community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, resiliency, and/or productivity.

Compensation Range

The pay scale for this position is $22.00 to $26.00 hourly rate. Final rate is determined based on non-discriminatory factors like skill and overall experience discussed during interview.

What’s In It For You

• Comprehensive medical insurance options
• Employer-paid benefits including dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance
• Retirement program with generous company default contribution and match
• Generous PTO program starting at 18 days annually
• 16 paid holidays, including 3 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), HRSA, and more

Job Responsibilities

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing all activities of daily life.
• Assist individuals with connecting to mental health services and scheduling mental health appointments.
• Connects and supports individuals with identifying and linking to community resources that help enhance their mental stability and overall life skills.
• Facilitates wellness groups and coaching that address skills needed for transition into adulthood and improved autonomous functioning including Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Smoking Cessation, among others, and support individuals in those groups in gaining access to community programs and services.
• Attend team meetings and receive assignments from supervisor.
• Promote client decision-making that supports self-determination and participate in the person-entered-planning (PCP) process.
• Assist therapist and CH staff with deescalating crisis situations.
• Assist individuals with the implementation of their goals and objectives identified in the PCP.
• Attend outings intended to enhance socialization and provide instruction-based assistance including teaching, prompting, modeling, monitoring encouragement, and general support to persons served.
• Utilize a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver services.
• Completes all required documentation, including progress notes, and contact notes completely, accurately, and in accordance with CNS policy.
• Fulfills mandatory education requirements of CNS including evidence-based programs, internal training, and community education.
• Accounts for scheduled work hours through productivity and/or other approved methods of documentation.
• Meet direct service productivity and documentation standards per agency and program expectations.
• Provide transportation assistance to individuals served as needed.
• Maintain compliance with quality care initiatives including Meaningful Use (MU), Medicare Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) requirements.
• Ensure that the CNS Healthcare standards of service are applied to interactions with individuals served, guests, and staff.
• Assume responsibility for professional growth by current reading and attendance at educational programs and conferences.
• Maintain knowledge and compliance with established policies and procedures, corporate compliance program, code of ethics, applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, HIPAA standards, and other regulatory programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid and unrestricted Driver’s License
• Transportation or Automobile accessibility with current automobile/vehicle insurance meeting agency policy requirements
• Meet eligibility requirements for State of Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft office products.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and community effectively, professionally, and courteously.
• Ability to work closely with persons with mental or physical limitations.
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the value and contributions of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
• Ability to report and record information regarding individual dreams and desires verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use discretion and judgment when handling matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Intermediate time management, problem-solving, customer service, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
• Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition.
• Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption.
• Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition.
• Have personal experience navigating complex mental health treatment services.
• Self-identifies as having a mental health condition with a substantial life disruption and share their recovery story in supporting others.
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft office products.

Preferred

• State of Michigan certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)
• Prior paid or volunteer experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Prior experience as a peer support specialist.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

About CNS Healthcare

CNS Healthcare (CNS) is a non-profit, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with seven clinics and two clubhouses in southeastern Michigan. CNS employs approximately 400 employees, paraprofessionals, and support staff, delivering services to more than 7,000 people annually.

• CNS provides comprehensive integrated health services in partnership with several community organizations, and uses a patient-centered approach to identify, support, and promote the overall health of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Visit our website to learn more about our mission, vision, and values!