Youth Peer Support Specialist

The Youth Peer Support Specialist works closely with youth who have psychiatric disabilities as they transition to adult hood. The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist acts as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: functional skills in education, employment, social supports, wellness, self-management, and residential stability.

What we are looking for:

As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, CNS Healthcare's mission is to serve the people of our communities. We are seeking candidates that have a passion for mentoring to help people achieve community inclusion, participation, independence, recovery, and productivity. Our ideal candidate has a special ability to gain the trust and respect of the individuals we serve based on shared experiences.

The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist works closely with youth who have psychiatric disabilities as they transition to adulthood. The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist acts as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: functional skills in education, employment, social supports, wellness, self-management, and residential stability.


This is a community-based position. Staff will have the opportunity to work remotely and will also be expected to be in the office at times as needed.

Compensation Range:


The starting pay for this position is $18.60 - $23.40 hourly rate for uncertified candidates, and $19.88 - $25.13 hourly rate for certified candidates, and is based on non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.


What's in it for you:

As a member of our team, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our community and the lives of the individuals that we serve. CNS Healthcare provides a robust total rewards program to support our team members and their loved ones. We've shared some highlights below, but you can visit the benefits guide posted on our careers page to learn more!

• Comprehensive medical insurance options
• Employer-paid benefits including dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance
• Retirement program with generous company default contribution and match
• Generous PTO program starting at 18 days annually
• 16 paid holidays, including 3 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), HRSA, and more

Interested in learning more about this role?

Please see below for a summary of job responsibilities and qualifications!

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing all activities of daily life.
• Connects individuals to medically necessary and clinically indicated services including DHS, Social Security, food and clothing banks and other community resources using agency or personally owned vehicle, as assigned.
• Facilitates wellness groups including WRAP, WHAM, Smoking Cessation, among others, and support individuals in those groups in gaining access to community programs and services as they are indicated, especially physical health care and dental services.
• Attends team meetings and receives assignments from supervisor.
• Provides assistance and partnership in:
  • Developing advance directive
  • Learning about and pursuing alternatives to guardianship
  • Developing, implementing and providing ongoing guidance for advocacy and support groups.
• Promotes client decision-making that support self-determination and participate in the person-entered-planning (PCP) process.
• Assists individuals with the implementation of their goals and objectives identified in the PCP.
• Attends outings intended to enhance socialization and provides instruction-based assistance including teaching, prompting, modeling, monitoring encouragement and general support to persons served.
• Utilizes a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver services
• Completes all required documentation, including progress notes, contact notes, and NOMS, completely, accurately, and in accordance with CNS policy
• Fulfill mandatory education requirements of CNS.
• Accounts for scheduled work hours through billing, productivity or other approved methods of documentation.
• Meet established productivity standards of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid and unrestricted Driver's License
• Transportation or Automobile accessibility with current automobile/vehicle insurance meeting agency policy requirements
• Is a young adult, ages 18 through age 26, with lived experience who received mental health services as a youth.
• Is willing and able to self- identify as a person who has or is receiving behavioral health services and is prepared to use that experience in helping others.
• Has experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems preferred (behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, etc.).
• Meet eligibility requirements for State of Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification
  1. Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition.
  2. Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption.
  3. Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year, with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition.
  4. Have personal experience navigating complex mental health treatment services.
  5. Self-identifies as having a mental health condition with a substantial life disruption and share their recovery story in supporting others.
• Ability to report and record information regarding individual dreams and desires verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively, professionally, and courteously
• Ability to use discretion and judgment when handling matters of a sensitive or confidential nature
• Intermediate time management, problem-solving, customer service, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills
• Intermediate presentation, facilitation, collaboration and team working skills.
• Ability to be forward-thinking and take initiative to accomplish goals and objectives of the department
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work closely with persons with mental or physical limitations.
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the value and contributions of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Preferred

• Obtain and maintain State of Michigan certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) within one year of employment.
• Prior experience as a peer support specialist.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

About CNS Healthcare:

CNS Healthcare (CNS) is a non-profit, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with seven clinics and two clubhouses in Southeastern Michigan. CNS employs approximately 400 employees, paraprofessionals, and support staff, delivering services to more than 7,000 people annually.

• CNS provides comprehensive integrated health services in partnership with several community organizations, and uses a patient-centered approach to identify, support, and promote the overall health of children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
• Visit our website to learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.