IOP (Intensive Outpatient) Peer Support Specialist - Not Certified, Part-Time

Description

Description

Northpointe is a Community Mental Health (CMH) organization providing services to individuals with serious mental illness, emotional disturbance, substance abuse disorders, and intellectual/developmental disabilities across Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties in the UP of Michigan. Northpointe itself was established in 1995 but has roots as a CMH dating back to 1964. Our presence can be found through remote emergency services, in school and home-based programs, and in clinical and residential home settings.

Job Purpose

The Peer Support Specialist is someone with lived experience in community mental health, that is specially trained to help his/her peers to identify and achieve specific life goals. The Peer Support Specialist cultivates the ability of those they assist to make informed, independent choices, set goals, and to gain information and support from the community to achieve those goals. The Peer Support Specialist promotes self- determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment inherent in self-direction and assists people with disabilities in regaining control over their own lives. Specific job responsibilities may vary depending on the experience of the individual Peer Support Specialist.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Participates in the person-centered planning process.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals with community agencies and organizations.
• Documents contacts in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in team meetings, available training, and other agency related meetings as requested.
• Shares observations and concerns with assigned supervisor.
• Provides supportive services to individual on an individual or family basis, primarily in community settings.
• Teaches symptom-management techniques designed to promote personal growth and development to assist individuals in coping with internal and external stresses.
• Assists individuals with developing Plan for Difficult times and/or obtaining a DPOA or Advance Directive.
• Assists individuals in completing applications for obtaining housing assistance, food stamps, SSI, SSDI, utility assistance, Medicaid, or available benefits or entitlements.
• Assists and supports individuals to promote self-determination and decision-making.
• Provides essential expertise and consultation to the care management and outpatient services to promote a culture which an individual’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment, and community activities.
• Promotes socialization, community inclusion and leisure time activities for individuals.

Requirements

This position will actively support the mission, vision, and values of the agency.

Education, Certifications, and/or Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Has received or is currently receiving services from the public mental health system
• Valid driver's license
• Must meet Michigan Department of Community Health specialized training and certification requirements and obtain Peer Support Specialist Certification within one year
• If receiving treatment for a co-occurring disorder must be in recovery for at least one year.
• For DBT PSS" personal experience as a DBT client having completed a DBT program including attendance at DBT graduate group