REPORTS TO: Associate Director and/or Program Coordinator

Summary

• Instill hope that it is possible for a person with a mental illness to live a meaningful life and encourage others to do so.

• Promote knowledge of available services

• Promote utilization of community resources

• Foster supportive peer relationships

• Willing to share his or her own recovery experience while being aware that each person’s road to recovery is unique.

Brief outline of position:

1. Act as a role model for persons in recovery and staff

2. Assist in orientation process for new team members and new persons in recovery

3. Assist program participants in identifying abilities and strengths, and teach them how to utilize personal assets for advancing their own recovery.

4. Assist program participants in identifying goals and engage individuals in developing personal recovery plans (Wellness Recovery Action Plan).

5. Coach program participants on how to develop and practice skills needed to achieve goals outlined in their recovery plan and for maintaining personal wellness. Teach self-advocacy skills.

6. Identify community resources and assist individuals in connecting with them and other peer supports such as self-help groups

7. Participate in team meetings and promote a recovery perspective

8. Keep team and supervisors informed of problematic issues, obstacles, and accomplishments experienced by individuals in working toward their respective recovery goals.

9. Assist with outreach/community integration particularly with persons in recovery who have been discharged

10. Support individuals in identifying the areas where they need professional supports and services and in communicating those needs to provider staff

11. Support individuals who are trying to connect/reconnect with family, friends, significant others and to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships.

12. Complete all required documentation in a timely manner.

13. Attend monthly CPS meetings

14. Assist clinical team during crisis situation as directed by unit supervisor or senior staff member.

15. Follow all agency policies and procedures and all other duties as assigned by supervisor

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Certified Peer Specialist by the MHASP required and maintained, including required CEU’s. Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills. Ability to establish professional relationships with peers. Must be physically able to: a)climb stairs; b) take public transportation(such as SEPTA bus and train services). Must be available to work nights and weekends as scheduled.