SINCERE HOME CARE LLC

Certified Peer Support Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Certified Peer Support Specialists work from the perspective of their lived experience to help build environments conducive to recovery. They promote hope, personal responsibility, empowerment, education, and self-determination in the communities where they serve. CPSSs are trained to assist others in skill- building, problem-solving, setting up and maintaining self-help mutual support groups, and building self- directed recovery tools. A critical role of the CPSS is supporting others in developing their recovery goals, and specific steps to reach those goals.

The technical job description of the Certified Peer Specialist below has been approved by the Department of
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and should be referred to throughout the employment process for all CPSSs employed in state-funded positions.

Under immediate to general supervision, the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides peer support services; serves as a consumer advocate; provides consumer information and peer support for consumers in a variety of settings.

The CPSS performs a wide range of tasks to support consumers in living their own lives and directing their own recovery and wellness process. The CPSS will model competency in recovery and wellness.

1. Using the 10-step goal setting process the CPSS will: a. Support consumers in articulating personal goals for recovery and wellness. b. Support consumers in articulating the objectives necessary to reach his or her recovery and wellness goals.

2. The CPSS will document the following on the Individual Recovery/Resiliency Plan (IR/RP) by: a. Assisting consumers in identifying strengths. b. Assisting consumers in identifying recovery and wellness goals. c. Assisting consumers in setting objectives. d. Assisting consumers in identifying barriers e. Support consumer in determining recovery and wellness interventions based on consumers' life goals. f. Recognizing and reporting progress consumers make toward meeting objectives. g. Understanding and utilizing specific interventions necessary to support consumers in meeting their recovery and wellness goals.

3.Utilizing their specific training, the CPSS will: a. Lead as well as teach consumers how to facilitate Recovery Dialogues b. Support consumers in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). c. Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups. d. Teach consumers techniques for identifying and combating negative self-talk. e. Teach consumers techniques for identifying and overcoming fears. f. Support the vocational choices consumers make and support them in overcoming job-related anxiety. g. Support consumers in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and

932 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Office: 769-233-7743

Fax:769-233-7553

SINCERE HOME CARE LLC tenure. h. Support non-consumer staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible. i. Attend treatment team meetings to promote consumer's use of self-directed recovery tools.

4.Utilizing their unique recovery experience, the CPSSs will: a. Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience. b. Support the consumer in obtaining decent and affordable housing of his or her choice in the most integrated, independent, and least intrusive or restrictive environment. c. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

5.TheCPSSswill maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant material. a. Continue to develop and share recovery-oriented material with other CPSSs at the continuing education assemblies and on the CPSS electronic bulletin board. b. Attend continuing education sessions when offered by the CPSS Project. c. Attend relevant seminars, meetings, and in-service trainings whenever offered.

6.TheCPSSswill serve as a recovery agent by: a. Providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services. b. Support consumers in obtaining services that suit that individual's recovery needs. c. Inform consumers about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process. d. Support consumers in developing empowerment skill through self-advocacy and the use of Human
Experience Language to combat stigma. e. Support consumers in setting up and sustaining Self-Help support groups.

The Peer Specialist Certification Training Competencies
A CPSS should possess the following competencies:

1.An understanding of their job and the skills to do that job. a. Understand the basic structure of the state Mental Health System and how it works b. Understand the CPSS job description and Code of Ethics within the state MHS c. Understand the meaning and role of peer support d. Understand the difference in treatment goals and recovery goals e. Be able to create and facilitate a variety of group activities that support and strengthen recovery f. Be able to do the necessary documentation required by the state g. Be able to support a consumer combat negative self-talk, overcome fears, and solve problems h. Be able to support a consumer articulate, set and accomplish his/her goals i. Be able to teach other consumers to create their own Wellness Recovery Action Plan j. Be able to teach other consumers to advocate for the services that they want k. Be able to support a consumer create a Person-Centered Plan.

2.An understanding of the recovery process and how to use their own recovery story to support others. a. Understand the five stages in the recovery process and what is helpful and not helpful at each stage b. Understand the role of peer support at each stage of the recovery process c. Understand the power of beliefs/values and how they support or work against recovery d. Understand the basic philosophy and principles of psychosocial rehabilitation

932 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Office: 769-233-7743

Fax:769-233-7553

SINCERE HOME CARE LLC e. Understand the basic definition and dynamics of recovery f. Be able to articulate what has been useful and what not useful in his/her own recovery g. Be able to identify beliefs and values a consumer holds that works against his/her recovery h. Be able to discern when and how much of their recovery story to share with whom.

3.An understanding of and the ability to establish healing relationships. a. Understand the dynamics of power, conflict and integrity in the workplace b. Understand the concept of 'seeking out common ground' c. Understand the meaning and importance of cultural competency d. Be able to ask open-ended questions that relate a person to his/her inner wisdom e. Be able to personally deal with conflict and difficult interpersonal relations in the workplace f. Be able to demonstrate an ability to participate in 'healing communication' g. Be able to interact sensitively and effectively with people of other cultures.

4.An understanding of the importance of and have the ability to take care of oneself. a. Understand the dynamics of stress and burnout b. Understand the role and parts of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) c. Be able to discuss his/her own tools for taking care of him/herself.

I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the above job description and agree to abide by its contents. I understand that failure to satisfactorily perform the assigned duties can and may result in termination.

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

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Staff Date

Administrator Signature Date

932 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
Office: 769-233-7743

Fax:769-233-7553

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $13.00 per hour

Work Location: In person