Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (PSS) supports individuals with mental health (illness) or co-occurring diagnoses by drawing on their own “lived experience.” The PSS provides peer-based support, mentoring, advocacy, and encouragement. This means offering support based on shared lived experience with mental illness (or substance use), helping those served to feel understood, supported, and hopeful.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Support and Engagement

• Support clients in setting and pursuing personalized recovery goals by helping them develop realistic recovery and wellness plans and self-management strategies.

• Authentically model recovery and resilience, appropriately sharing one’s own lived experience (recovery and/or wellness) to inspire hope.

• Participate in new-client orientation to support client engagement, understanding of services, and client retention.

• Maintain regular outreach through phone, email, mail, and in-person community contact to increase engagement while reducing risk for hospitalization, decompensation, and legal oversight.

• Facilitate random urinalysis when requested.

Peer Services Delivery

• Provide billable services in alignment with the agency's productivity expectations.

• Providing one-on-one peer services.

  • Life-skills coaching; assistance with benefits and housing applications; support navigating the mental health system and discharge planning; and help with community integration, including building support networks and accessing housing, employment, transportation, and essential social services (e.g., food assistance, health coverage, clothing resources).

• Provide peer-led services.

  • Educational groups, peer encounters, and related activities that demonstrate theoretical knowledge, strong subject knowledge, and effective communication.

• Provide coverage as required by the program, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Provide backfill support as needed and requested within the clinical team.

Care Coordination and Team Collaboration

• Coordinate care collaboratively with clinical staff, case managers, and the treatment team to support integrated services.

• Actively engage in triadic huddles with the treatment team to share client updates and identify support needs.

• Fosters positive relationships, internal and external, with community partners, stakeholders, etc. to enhance the organization's reputation and broaden its reach.

• Implement other procedures as requested by the MH Clinical Supervisor, the CCO, and executive leadership.

Documentation, Compliance, and Organizational Standards

• Document all services provided within the electronic health record in real-time, same day, and no later than 24 hours of service delivery.

• Maintain documentation requirements defined by agency timelines and in alignment with governing and regulatory bodies.

• Supports and adheres to the rules and regulations of EHI, regulatory, and accrediting bodies.

• Participate in scheduled in-services and training activities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Effective communication and listening skills, able to interact respectfully, maintain confidentiality, and advocate for clients.

• Ability to work as part of a care team, collaborating with clinical staff, case managers, and social workers.

• Basic organizational and documentation skills (for record-keeping, case notes, resource coordination).

• Flexibility is essential as care may be provided within the community (local travel) to meet clients where they are in the community, e.g., home, clinic, etc., so reliability and stability matter.

• One year of experience in mental health, substance use disorder treatment, human services, or the behavioral sciences field. Formal education and/or training can be substituted. 

• Specialty credential required. At least one of the two credentials is required; yet, preference is for dual credentials, e.g., Certified Peer Recovery Mentor - Michigan (CPRM-M) through the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals and Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A development plan (DP) is acceptable for CPRM-M upon hire.

• Must not have been convicted of a felony for at least (5) years prior to application.

• Strong organizational skills.

• In-depth knowledge of community resources such as housing, medical, and or needed support services specifically related to the population served.

• Group facilitation experience is a plus.

• Familiarity with NAMI and community support groups, e.g., 12-step model, etc.

• Ability to type 35 words per minute is preferred, with technology proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Google Suite, Zoom, electronic health records, etc.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary colleagues, peers, and teams.

• Demonstrated commitment to ethical and culturally competent care.

• Must have no current case open with the Department of Corrections.