Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health insurance
Paid time off
Training & development
Tuition assistance
EEOC Statement: We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Summary: The Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist I and/or II is an integral member of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team who provides highly individualized services in the community and promotes the self-determination and shared decision-making abilities of clients. The peer specialist utilizes their lived experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness to provide essential peer support. This role focusses on fostering hope, promoting recovery, and assisting individuals in achieving their personal goals through direct support, advocacy, and collaboration. The role works closely with other team members to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences.
Supervisory Responsibilities: • None
Duties/Responsibilities: The Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist I and/or II will provide advanced support, encouragement, and assistance to individuals and groups enrolled in Spero’s Assertive Community Treatment Team, with the majority of services provided in the community (i.e., individual’s homes, hospitals, shelters, etc.). Services include:
Coaching and Consultation to promote recovery and self-direction • Mentoring through appropriate self-disclosure of personal recovery experiences to develop trusting and meaningful relationships with members, while also modeling self-help and wellness strategies. • Provide outreach to engage participants and assist them in overcoming barriers to participating in services. • Offer support to develop personal recovery and wellness goals, explore self-help strategies, review dimensions of wellness, engage in wellness strategies, and act as a peer advocate. Provide skills training in daily living skills or other areas as indicated by the participant’s treatment plan. • CPS Level II: Assist in the development and implementation of individualized recovery plans.
Facilitating wellness management and recovery strategies • Facilitate and connect individuals to services and activities with a focus on building self-efficacy. • Facilitate weekly Wellness Recovery Action Plan groups. • Assist in linking peer and community resources to build natural support. • Promote skills building activities in the local community to support personal wellness and ongoing recovery. • Provide supportive navigation, information, and coaching while acquiring services related to medical, social, educational, transportation, housing, education, employment, and other applicable services. • CPS Level II: Facilitate peer support groups and workshops.
Modeling skills for, and providing consultation and collaboration to fellow ACT team members • Provide expertise, experience, and consultation to the team to promote a culture where an individual point of view is recognized, respected, and integrated into treatment. • Provide cross-training to other ACT team members in recovery principles and strategies at least bi-annually. • CPS Level II: Collaborate with other mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
Miscellaneous • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of clinical records in accordance with Federal, State, County, and treatment program requirements under the direction of the clinical supervisor. • Meet performance expectations for time and billing standards. • Participate fully as a member of the Spero Assertive Community Treatment Team as a supportive, reliable, positive, collaborative, and professional team member during the development of individual treatment planning, daily team meetings, and crisis intervention. • CPS Level II: Participate in continuing education and professional development activities to maintain certification and stay current with best practices in peer support.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Understanding of approaches and interventions used to support others in recovery and resiliency, demonstrating efforts as self-directed recovery. Knowledgeable of community resources and how to connect individuals to those resources. Ability to understand and carry out directions and instructions; ability to maintain confidentiality; interest and skill in providing services to individuals and groups; ability to speak, read, and write English; ability to provide documentation consistent with department standards for quality and timeliness; willingness to work hours conducive to reaching the identified population; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, coworkers, and other agencies. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Valid Minnesota Driver’s license and ability to transport clients. Ability and willingness to discuss recovering experiences during the interview process.
Education and Experience: As defined by Minnesota State Statue 256B.0615 Subd. 5:
A certified peer specialist II is qualified as a mental health certified peer specialist, as defined in section 245I.04 Subd. 10, which states a mental health certified peer specialist must:
CPS Level II: 4. Be qualified as a Mental Health Practitioner level as defined by Minnesota Statute 245.462, subd. 17: a. Have at least 6,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of peer services to persons with mental illness. b. Alternatively, have at least 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with mental illness and an addition 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of peer services to persons with mental illness.
Physical Requirements: Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception, stands; sits; moves about the work area; clients 1 floor of stairs; lifts, pushes, pulls, moves carts and carries items weight up to 5 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12pt. font; hears a normal speech level; works in clients homes or other areas exposed to dust or second-hand smoke; may work in uneven areas.
Work Environment: This position operates within a dynamic and collaborative Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including case managers, nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists, in a supportive and respectful environment. The ACT team provides services primarily in the community, including clients’ homes, community settings, and the office. This role requires flexibility and ability to adapt to changing situations. The team emphasizes a client-centered, recovery-oriented approach, valuing the unique experiences of each individual served.
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.