ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS (listing Position Specific functions first):

• The Peer Support Specialist will promote and participate in activities that enhance recovery and resiliency of people in crisis.
• Partner with Crisis Clinical therapist to provide crisis support services at the engagement center.
• Provide support and assist in building trust and rapport with people in crisis.
• Encourage individuals/families to be actively involved with planning and treatment.
• Develop understanding and management of wellness and triggers.
• Explore and link individual/families with natural and community supports.
• Provide crisis intervention, first aid and emergency procedures, as needed.
• Will work closely with unit members to ensure that CPSSs are completing tasks outlined in the Additional Mental Health Services b (3) section of the Medicaid State Plan.
• Will assist consumers in carrying out tasks related to the individualized person-centered plan, including but not limited to completion of forms for benefits, social/relationship skill building activities and other identified tasks as identified by medical necessity criteria: community inclusion, participation, and productivity.
• Will follow the Michigan CPSS Code of Ethics once certified.
• CPSSs will role model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills.
• Assist non-consumer staff in identifying program environments that are conductive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible.
• Using their unique recovery experience, the CPSSs will teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience, assist the consumer in obtaining decent and affordable housing of his or her choice in the most integrated, independent, and least intrusive environment, and model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• The CPSSs will maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant materials.
• The CPSSs will serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services, assist consumers in obtaining services that suit that individual’s recovery needs, inform consumers about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process, and assist consumers in developing empowerment skills through self-advocacy and stigma-busting.
• The CPSSs are expected to utilize complex interpersonal and communication skills on a frequent basis. This includes group services and formal presentations.
• Must be able to work with intangible information, uncertainties or missing information to assess and consider in the course of providing treatment.
• Must meet management expectations each month; currently set at 30%.
• Services provided by CPSSs will occur in the office setting, community setting and home environment.