FEP Certified Peer Specialist

Position Summary:

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Program is a Coordinated Specialty Care approach to treating young people who have recently experienced their first episode of psychosis. The FEP Team offers young people an array of services, including low-dose medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Psychosis, Family Education, Case Management, Supported Education and Employment, and Certified Peer Support services.  Service coordination is guided by the young person’s voice and choice. FEP seeks to improve the quality of life of young people by instilling hope through empowerment to guide their own treatment, educating them about their psychosis, re-establishing relationships, and re-integrating them back into the community whether it’s attending school or working. 

This position is responsible for working alongside the young person to support them in their own treatment planning process. The FEP Certified Peer Specialist will provide advocacy and peer support to youth in order to help youth set and achieve recovery goals and will empower youth to increase self-advocacy during their recovery from psychosis.

Program Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide peer counseling and support to individuals seeking to enhance their quality of life.
• Encourage and support the enhancement of recovery through mentorship and the installment of hope and empowerment.
• Identify community and natural supports and assist individuals with accessing and participating in such activities or events. 
• Utilize one’s own recovery experience to facilitate the completion of treatment plans.
• Assess ongoing progress with treatment plans, guide individuals in making necessary changes to plans and celebrate individual successes. 
• Meet youth as needed in the community where the youth resides or wherever services would be most appropriately delivered.
• Document progress using a computer as it adheres to program guidelines and regulations.
• Model and promote skills required for employment, community integration and independent living.
• Participate in weekly group supervision and attend bi-weekly individual supervision.
• Transport clients and families to various appointments based on caseload as needed.
• Document supervision/case activity through electronic health record, progress notes and other program specific paperwork by typing.
• Ensure that program files are organized and paperwork is filed into youth specific charts.
• Attend required trainings to maintain CPS Certification.
• Using and implementing the 5 core values of Trauma-Informed Care in all work practices - Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, & Empowerment.
• May perform other related duties, when required or assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Certified as a peer specialist (CPS) from certified training program
• Effectively managing your own recovery from psychosis, or other mental health challenges, and able to help others who are going through similar experiences
• Have maintained, within the last 3 years, at least 12 months of successful full or part time work experience or 1 year of post secondary education experience totaling 24 credit hours
• Ability to share your story and experiences with the population you serve in a way that will provide hope, reliability, compassion, and encouragement
• Maintain valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of community resources in Lehigh and Northampton Counties and surrounding area
• Exhibit competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills related to psychosis
• Demonstrate the ability to assist youth in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support youth in self-directed recovery
• Knowledge of community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to youth with mental health needs
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help and educational groups by soliciting input from youth on their strengths and interests

Work Environment:

• Work in standard office environment as well as community settings to include youth home, schools, court, doctor’s offices, and hospitals.
• Evenings and weekends may be required as needed

Compensation and Benefits:

• Hourly rate of $18 an hour
• Annual Salary Increase and Bonus
• Medical and Vision Benefits offered on first day of employment, 3 plan options offered by Independence Blue Cross
• Dental Benefits offered on first day of employment, 2 plan options offered by Guardian
• Ancillary Benefits offered on first day of employment, such as Accident, Critical Illness, Cancer, Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability and $50,000 Life Insurance Policy provided by CFF
• 9 Paid Holidays
• 7 days of Paid Time Off 
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• 401K plan with company match and profit sharing
• Mileage and Expense reimbursement for travel and training
• Company Issued Equipment with Helpdesk support
• Clearance Reimbursement

*Eligibility Requirements apply

Child and Family Focus is an equal opportunity and drug free employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.