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Assertive Community Treatment Team

Position Description

Southwestern Mental Health Center, Inc.

Position Title : Certified Peer Support Specialist

Department : Assertive Community treatment team (ACT)

General Work Hours : Daytime Monday through Friday, as needed

Exempt/Non-Exempt : Non-Exempt

Supervisor : Team Lead

Position Summary : As a member of the ACT team, the Certified Peer Specialist provides support services as a consumer advocate for clients on the ACT team. Acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions. Also, under clinical supervision, provides education, support, consultation, and crisis intervention to the client.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required :

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Have high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

• Must have good oral and written communication.

• Must be a current or former consumer of mental health services. Must have skills to manage their symptoms and be well along in their own recovery.

• Must demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills.

• Must have a strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal commitment residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.

• Must have the skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and respect for the clients’ rights and personal preferences in treatment.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

  Physical Requirements :

  1. Ability to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, reach, stoop, and crouch.

  2. Must be able to sweep, mop, shovel, and lift up to 50 lbs.

     Supervision Requirements :

• Prior to having direct contact with clients, staff must:

• Complete first section of orientation checklist, and

• Have a background study submitted to the department.

• Prior to working independently, staff must:

• Complete orientation checklist,

• Receive background study clearance from the department, and

• Successfully completes the DHS approved Certified Peer Specialist training and certification exam

• Complete a minimum of 16 training hours annually.

  Essential Functions :

• Provides a part of a wraparound continuum of services in conjunction with other team members, which include a Prescriber, Team Lead, one RN, a Chemical Dependency counselor, a Vocational Specialist, other mental health practitioners and office staff.

• Provide nonclinical peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer to validate clients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.

• Serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.

• Promotes socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports and maintenance of skills learned.

• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each clients’ individualized point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.

• Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self stigma.

  Other Responsibilities :

• Is sensitive and responsive to the management needs such as data collection and program evaluation. Timely paperwork must be very clear and concise.

• Be a great team player, supporting team work. Our team is very busy and the work can be stressful.

• Ability to travel as required. The team covers 5 counties in Southwestern MN. We have office vehicles so use of personal vehicles is very limited.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.