Certified Peer Specialist

GENERAL SUMMARY
The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is an individual who self identifies as having direct personal experience living with mental illness and/or substance abuse recovery, with a primary diagnosis of mental illness or dual diagnosis Experience in navigating systems to obtain services for their child/family. The CPS skillfully uses personal lived experience in recovery from a mental health or substance use condition to provide support to consumers in a clinical setting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.
 Assists consumers with linking to appropriate internal and external services (housing /employment /independent living, etc.), and navigating systems essential to recovery and growth.
 Assists Care Manager with data collected from.
 Assists consumers to court, doctor appointments, or other appointments needed.
 Conducts home and clinic face to face sessions. Administers case notes.
 Ensures clinical documentation is submitted in accordance with CHCS’s standards and meets all designated requirements.
 Ensures daily activities of consumers are completed in a timely manner.
 Provides daily life skills to consumers, including information on self-care and hygiene.
 Provides support in daily activities for individuals with substance abuse issues for mental health recovery.
 Performs other related duties as required.
 
MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
 High School diploma or equivalency
 One (1) year of lived experience with substance abuse or mental health required.
 One (1) year of experience working on recovery and able to manage own wellness
 Transparency in disclosure of personal mental illness or substance use diagnosis for the purpose of educating, role modeling and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery
Licenses or Certifications
 Certified Peer Specialist that will provide services through Medicaid must hold the Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) certification or Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) through the Texas Certification Board.

 Must maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage, be able to travel as needed, and be able to meet on a consistent basis the driving record requirements of the Company’s auto insurance carrier if you drive your vehicle during company business
 Must maintain required credentials and mandatory training requirements to ensure compliance with all State regulations and CHCS policies
 Must be able to meet the physical requirements to complete SAMA and CPR training including lifting up to 12 lbs. and supporting up to 55 lbs.; bending, stooping and getting on and off the floor without assistance.

COVID-19 Mandate Requirements
Unvaccinated Staff options:
a. Get Vaccinated per the CMS Mandate.
b. Have a medical/religious exemption. Unvaccinated staff will need to test once a week at the employees own time/expense and must wear enhanced PPE to include an N95 face mask and a face shield.
c. Consumer facing staff DO NOT have the option to be unvaccinated without an exemption.
d. If the position is not consumer facing, staff members may continue to be unvaccinated, without an exemption and test once a week at the employee’s own time/expense and must wear enhanced PPE to include an N95 face mask and a face shield.
Vaccinated Staff options:
a. For employees who are vaccinated and consumer facing, we are continuing to require wearing an N95 mask.
b. For all other vaccinated employees, we are requiring a cloth, surgical or N95 mask be worn in all shared spaces.
c. Vaccinated employees may only go unmasked if in a single occupancy office.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
 Bilingual (English / Spanish)
 Experience working in an organization providing mental health and substance use services
SUPERVISION
 Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
 Applicable software applications
 Case management
 Community resources
 Evidence base and forensic practices
 Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
 Recovery techniques
Skilled in:
 Counseling
 Organization and time management
 Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
 Planning
 Professional verbal and written skills
Ability to:
 Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
 Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
 Establish and maintain effective working relationships
 Maintain accurate and complete records
 Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
 Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
 Provide advocacy with a non-judgmental approach to working with families
 Understand and carry out oral and written directions
 Utilize different treatment modalities