Zepf - Peer Support Specialist - CSU chez Zepf

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff. 

Summary:

The purpose of this position is to support others in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders. The CSU Peer Support Specialist will serve as role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The CSU Peer Support Specialist must demonstrate an ability to self-identify as an individual with a serious mental illness who is currently or was a recipient of mental health services, is in the process of his or her own recovery and has successfully completed training and wellness in recovery interventions. They will share personal recovery experiences with the goal of developing authentic peer-to-peer relationships, with an emphasis on reducing the risk of suicide and/or relapse.

Hours: Four, 10-hours weekly shifts; 8:00am - 6:00pm with every third weekend and three holidays per year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide mental health and/or substance use disorder recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from engagement, recovery planning, recovery treatment, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance. 
• Provide a model for both people in recovery, family members/friends/supporters of people in recovery, and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible. 
• Assist individuals to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses regarding the recovery process, thus providing information for treatment plan development through the integrated service team. 
• Assist individuals in recovery in developing their own plan for advancing their recovery and improving functioning in the home, community, workplace and/or school environments. 
• Administer NOMs at engagement, 6 months, and one year after starting the program. 
• Actively identify and support linkages to community and professional resources and organizations that support the individual’s goals and interests as well as provide thorough explanations of the benefits of these services. 
• Identify barriers to successful participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers. 
• Maintain a professional approach and understand the importance of clear boundaries between self, staff, and fellow peers. 
• Maintain effective communication with integrated care team to assure successful integrated services are carried out. 
• Assures timely and accurate electronic/written documentation of services provided as required by designated program.
• Regularly monitor and update the client safety plans – including early signs questionnaire.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Organizational Competencies: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals, and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
• Strives for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and/or assistance to coworkers and clients through the integrated care process. 
• Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Abide by the agencies and/or professional code of ethics. 
• Strives to improve own and agency operations
• Commit to cultivating a non-violent and trauma-informed environment for all employees and clients, through our pursuit of Sanctuary; a trauma-informed model. Commit to a deeper exploration of Sanctuary Values.
• Incorporates sanctuary techniques into daily work activities. 
• Participates on sanctuary process teams and/or supports sanctuary initiatives 

Position Qualifications: 

• Minimum of high school diploma/GED 
• The Peer Support must have acquired or meet the qualifications for certification as an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (CPRS).
  • The 16-hour online e-based academy courses offered through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and have completed the 4 hour in-person supervising peers training offered by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and       Addiction Services http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5122-29-15.1
  • Must provide CPRS certification within 90 days of hire
• Lived experience of mental health and/or substance use disorder
• Working knowledge of the recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes 
• Ability to assist individuals in addressing symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk and other techniques
• They must be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from individuals on their strengths and interests 

Those eligible to drive company vehicles must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for coverage as defined by the agency commercial insurance carrier. Those who drive personal vehicles in the course of business must be able to provide proof of insurance.