MRSS Peer Support Specialist

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

We are currently seeking full-time Certified Peer Support for MRSS, a mobile crisis response team in our Crisis Care department. The purpose of this position is to provide support and assist young adults with basic skill building, client management, and to assist the MRSS department as needed to provide excellent and thorough services to young adults in crisis, as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Service provisions will focus on working with clients to navigate the system and enhance their recovery. MRSS is a regionally approached model and there may be times that calls need covered in the region that our team would be responsible for. This position is grant funded and available throughout the duration of the grant.

Hours: three, 12-hour weekly shifts; 8:00am - 8:00pm with rotating holidays and no weekends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work effectively and collaboratively with all members of the MRSS team, clients and their family members, and referral sources at a time that best suits the clients’ needs
• Assist with behavior management, offer encouragement in times of crisis, and participate in management of emergencies as needed
• To provide individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching and support to clients
• Assist in developing formal and informal community supports and provide training in the use of personal and community resources
• Assist the client in increasing social support networks of relatives, friends and/or significant others
• To work in cooperation with other providers, family members or significant others involved in the client’s plan of care
• Advocate on behalf of the clients to protect their rights and to assist in reducing associated stigma
• Observe all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment, both internally and when dealing with external agencies and/or individuals
• Provide documentation to the medical record when indicated; complete appropriate administrative records and attain established standards of productivity
• Providing services within agency and in field. Assisting clients with transportation and escorting clients when necessary
• MRSS is a regionally approached model and there may be times that calls need covered in the region that our team would be responsible for
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Competencies:

• Customer and client focus
• Flexibility
• Time management
• Communication proficiency
• Stress management
• Composure
• Culturally competent, able to value and work with diverse peers and client
• Possess interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with clients and families in crisis
• Able to maintain client relations
• To meet clinical competency standards
• Understanding client rights policies & procedures
• Professionalism to observe to observe the code of ethics

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals, and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
• Strives for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and/or assistance to coworkers and clients through the integrated care process.
• Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Abide by the agencies and/or professional code of ethics.
• Strives to improve own and agency operations
• Commit to cultivating a non-violent and trauma-informed environment for all employees and clients, through our pursuit of Sanctuary; a trauma-informed model. Commit to a deeper exploration of Sanctuary Values.
• Incorporates sanctuary techniques into daily work activities.
• Participates on sanctuary process teams and/or supports sanctuary initiatives

• Lived experience as a young adult with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral health needs and who has had a behavioral health diagnosis for at least 1 year
• Bachelor’s degree or HS diploma or equivalent
• Peer certification, preferred or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Knowledge of Lucas County area
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
• CPR, first aid and CPI required

Those eligible to drive company vehicles must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for coverage as defined by the agency commercial insurance carrier. Those who drive personal vehicles in the course of business must be able to provide proof of insurance.

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO