BHH Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist

Health Affiliates Maine is looking for a Full-time, Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) to join our Behavioral Health Team. The BHH program is an integrated, collaborative, community-based care model for the whole person. Services provide assistance to adults with mental health, medical and other resource needs.

Position Summary:

The Certified Intentional Peer Support Specialist (CIPSS) is an integral member of Health Affiliates Maine’s Behavioral Health Home (BHH) team. The CIPSS provides both individual and group peer support services following the CIPSS model to adult members of the BHH team. The CIPSS also assists members in identifying and accessing natural and peer support in their own communities. The CIPSS collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the peer perspective is central in our services and provides education to the agency regarding the peer-perspective.

Roles and Responsibilities (Include but are not limited to the following):

• Work with an average of 20-25 adult BHH clients, providing support in person, telehealth and by telephone, in office settings and in the community. Meetings will be individual and group.
• Attend BHH team meetings, participate in clinical and administrative agenda items, and assist the team in providing comprehensive care to BHH clients.
• Learn the Electronic Health Record utilized by the BHH and be responsible for documenting BHH peer support activities in the record within 72 hours or 10am on Fridays, whichever comes first.
• Be responsible for facilitating and co-facilitating BHH groups to include but not limited to support groups, wellness groups and/or groups based on peer practice models on an ongoing basis. At least one group will be running at all times throughout the year.
• Provide education to the BHH team about the tenants of the Intentional Peer Support model, as needed or ongoing. 
• Meet regularly with the Assistant Director, Team Lead and/or qualified supervisors as determined by program management in order to maintain support as well as fidelity to the CIPSS model. 
• Practice, mentor others and maintain fidelity to the Values of Peer Support: Connection, Openness, Honoring Worldview and Mutual Responsibility. 
• Practice direct, respectful, honest communication, patience, and commitment to learning and growth.
• Participate in internal agency trainings and external trainings as determined by the agency. 
• Maintain CIPSS certification by having 2 continuing education trainings a year and attend co-reflection through DHHS CIPSS 1x every quarter for a total of 4 a year. 
• Understand co-morbidity risk for clients with psychiatric illness.
• Contribute to development of BHH program materials, such as the BHH newsletters. 
• Work collaboratively with Behavioral Health Homes Team members to provide team-approach to care. 
• Follow all applicable codes of ethics, including Maine CIPSS Code of Ethics
• Protect and maintain the confidentiality of client records and information following all HIPAA rules and applicable guidelines. 
• Ensure services are provided to clients in a manner consistent with trauma-informed practices. 
• Offer and complete Mental Health Advanced Directives when appropriate. 
• Work collaboratively with BHH Wellness Coordinators and nurse care managers to provide crisis support for clients and maintain a calm, non-defensive, supportive attitude during crisis or potential crisis situations. 
• Actively participate in all required supervisions and training. 
• Seek supervision appropriately for client concerns, ethical dilemmas, and is respond to feedback and directive given by supervisor(s) and Director(s).  

Benefits (Include but are not limited to the following):

We recognize that our ultimate success depends on our talented and dedicated workforce. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes work-life balance to support you doing your best work.

Highlights include:

• Extensive earned benefit time package including increase adjustments at 1-year, 5-year, 10-year and 15-year anniversaries
• Flextime and condensed work week option
• up to 12.5 paid Holidays
• Financial programs including Dependent Care – FSA, 401k and financial advising
• Health benefit programs including multiple medical options, onsite health coaching as well as paid life and disability insurance.
• Location of the position is flexible with remote, hybrid or satellite offices, statewide. 

Qualifications (Include but are not limited to the following):

• Must have the CIPSS certification or receive CIPSS certification following 9 months of employment unless they have (a) received provisional Core training and continue to pursue full certification
• Has received or is receiving services and support related to a mental health diagnosis and is willing to self-identify on this basis to BHH members and team as appropriate within the CIPSS model.
• Experience in a Peer Support role is preferred.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Active Maine Driver’s License