Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) will work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness in their paths towards recovery. CPSS will perform a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their own lives and over their own recovery process, including group and individual sessions.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS (listing Position Specific functions first):

  • 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.
  • Sssist 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.
  • Follow the Michigan CPSS Code of Ethics once certified.
  • 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, 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.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant materials.
  • 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.

EXPECTATIONS:

  • 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.

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

  • Must possess a High School Diploma and/or a GED and be able to show proof if requested.
  • Must be or have been a public mental health consumer from Community Mental Health.
  • Must be an individual who is committed to his/her own personal recovery and who expects recovery for all consumers.
  • Must have computer skills.

 

LICENSING or CERTIFICATIONS:

Must attend full certification training as deemed appropriate by supervisory staff within nine months of hire in date.

 

1819-16C