Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

The Peer Support Specialist’s role is to support others in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorder. They will serve as role models, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The Peer Support Specialist must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships in an affirming, culturally competent, and trauma-informed manner. Peer Support Specialists work directly with people served both individually and in group settings. Services provided may occur within a Zepf location, in the individual’s home, or in the community setting.

We are current looking for a full-time Peer Support Specialist II (MATTER Outreach/Intake) here at our Ashland location. This position will require coordinating client services between Outreach, Intake, CSU, and all the grants and services within Zepf Center. This position is a full-time position working in both MATTER and BRIDGES outreach grants. This position is person centered and helps potential clients visualize recovery and create a navigation plan through it. This position encourages clients to connect to all services and programs at Zepf Center.

MATTER Outreach/ Intake - Peer Support Specialist II –will be responsible for engaging, educating, and retaining clients through the Zepf Center intake process. This position will coordinate with various departments to improve client experiences and create a welcoming responsive atmosphere.

• This position may involve, SUD, MH, Family and Youth peer contact.
• Assist in the collection of intake and demographic data.
• Will complete Grant documentation including GPRA, Group notes, contact notes, etc
• Assist in the transportation of clients through the facility.
• Coordinate with Matter Outreach/ Agency staff.
• Support and assist intake Dept. staff.
• Will attend Outreach events as assigned.
• Leverage peer experience to welcome clients and create recovery vision.
• Introduce clients to various Zepf Center programs and services.
• Create a welcoming and supportive client experience.
• Engage in follow up and tracking phone calls, email, and text, contacts.

Will review program and group rules- finalize program orientation:

• Assist in selection of group times and counselors.
• Explain rights and responsibilities of treatment programs.
• Obtain final signatures and set date and time for program start.
• Offer empathetic and non-judgmental peer support to individuals receiving inpatient treatment for substance use disorders.
• Share your personal journey of recovery to inspire hope and provide clients with positive role modeling.
• May facilitate or co-facilitate recovery and/or skill-building groups (ex: NEW-R, WHAM).
• Ability to form and maintain trusting relationships with persons served that are intended to be long-term.

Recovery Planning:

• Collaborate with clients, clinicians, and other treatment team members to develop individualized recovery plans that address the client's goals, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Links persons served to services, resources through referrals and outreach.

Assertive Outreach & Engagement

• Uses in-person contact, phone, text, and email to maintain ongoing open communication with persons served increases this contact during periods of crisis, significant change, or when transitioning from one level of care to another.
• Engages persons served in discussions and activities intended to enhance recovery and wellness across all domains of their lives (ex: home, community, workplace, school).
• Assists persons served in connecting with vital community supports, internal programs and mutually beneficial self-help groups.

Education and Resources:

• Provide clients with information about available resources, support groups, and community-based services that can aid in their recovery journey.

Emotional Support:

• Offer a listening ear, emotional support, and encouragement to clients as they navigate the challenges of early recovery.
• Provides motivation and education to persons served at each phase of the recovery journey from engagement, to planning, treatment, stabilization, and sustained wellness.

Crisis Intervention:

• Be prepared to assist clients in crisis situations, using your training and experience to help de-escalate and provide emotional support until professional help is available.
• Serves as a mandated reporter (required to report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, elderly individual, or animal)

Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions and progress, adhering to all relevant legal and ethical standards.

Team Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with the treatment team, attending regular staff meetings and sharing insights on clients' progress and needs.

Self-Advocacy:

• Serve as an advocate for clients, helping them express their needs and concerns to ensure they receive the most appropriate care and services.
• Builds on individual successes to promote self-advocacy in persons served.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides motivation and education to persons served at each phase of the recovery journey from engagement, to planning, treatment, stabilization, and sustained wellness.
• Links persons served to services, resources through referrals and outreach.
• Coordinates or assists in crisis intervention and stabilization through safety planning and harm reduction.
• Uses in-person contact, phone, text, and email to maintain ongoing open communication with persons served increases this contact during periods of crisis, significant change, or when transitioning from one level of care to another.
• Works with persons served to address ambivalence and/or barriers to fully engaging in available services and resources and helps develop a plan for moving forward.
• May facilitate or co-facilitate recovery and/or skill-building groups
• Uses open-ended questions, assessments, and other tools to assist persons served in identifying goals, supports, barriers, interests, and coping skills.
• Engages persons served in discussions and activities intended to enhance recovery and wellness across all domains of their lives (ex: home, community, workplace, school).
• Works in collaboration with all members of the individual’s treatment team.
• Amplifies the voice/advocates for persons served who may feel overwhelmed navigating systems.
• Builds on individual successes to promote self-advocacy in persons served.
• Assists persons served in connecting with vital community supports and mutually beneficial self-help groups.
• Ability to form and maintain trusting relationships with persons served that are intended to be long-term.
• Documents/captures services provided in the electronic health record within the designated timeframe.
• Ability to transport or meet persons served for appointments, meetings, interviews, wellness activities, social events, and to access community resources.
• Serves as a mandated reporter (required to report known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, elderly individual, or animal)
• Other duties as assigned

Position Competencies:

• Personal/lived experience with mental illness, family, and/or substance use disorder.
• Personal commitment to wellness and recovery.
• Serves as an inspiration and/or role model for persons served, their support system, and our workforce by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
• Maintains a commitment to professional boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality during all interactions.
• Commitment to developing a deep understanding of dual relationships and related complexities.
• Desire to further the agency’s Peer movement by participating in ongoing professional development and Peer-specific wellness events.

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals, as well as the policies and procedures.
• Commitment to creating/maintaining a trauma-informed environment for all persons served and coworkers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Sanctuary Commitments through use of the tools (Community Meeting, Safety Plan, SELF, Raised Flag Meeting, and Self-Care Plan).

Position Competencies:

• Personal/lived experience with mental illness, family, and/or substance use disorder.
• Personal commitment to wellness and recovery.
• Serves as an inspiration and/or role model for persons served, their support system, and our workforce by demonstrating that recovery is possible.
• Maintains a commitment to professional boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality during all interactions.
• Commitment to developing a deep understanding of dual relationships and related complexities.
• Desire to further the agency’s Peer movement by participating in ongoing professional development and Peer-specific wellness events.

Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Current active Certified Peer Support – SUD Specific license
• Willing to pursue Peer Supervision certificate when appropriate.
• Able to meet Zepf Center driving requirements.
• Foundational knowledge in mental health and/or substance use disorders (provided by Zepf).
• Demonstrated commitment to the recovery community (NAMI, AA/NA, etc.).
• Ability to work evenings and weekends based on the needs of the persons serviced and agency staffing.
• Reliable transportation to/from work and between locations is essential.
• Must be proficient with a computer and able to enter electronic services notes on a regular basis.

Physical Requirements:

Physical demands described are representative of those that must be routinely met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

Those eligible to drive company vehicles must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for coverage as defined by the agency commercial insurance carrier. Those who drive personal vehicles in the course of business must be able to provide proof of insurance.

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO