Role:

The purpose of the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Code of Ethics is to outline the basic values and principles of peer support practice. The primary responsibility of the CPSS is to help Peer Support recipients to achieve their own recovery needs, wants, and goals. CPSS may have other duties as assigned as per their employer and their job description. The CPSS will maintain high standards of personal conduct and will conduct themselves in a manner that fosters their own recovery. CPSS will be guided by the principle of self-determination for all and shall serve as advocates for the people they serve. The CPSS will perform services only within the boundaries of their expertise. The CPSS shall be aware of the limits of their training and capabilities and shall collaborate with other professionals to best meet the needs of the person(s) served. The CPSS will, at all times, provide an objective and professional relationship while recognizing there are multiple pathways to recovery. Furthermore, CPSS provide peer support to clients with mental health challenges. This position promotes socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services. The Certified Peer Support Specialist serves as an advocate for and on behalf of clients' rights and benefits.

Examples of work responsibilities:

• Assist clients with symptom management and recovery by modeling wellness, personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and hopefulness through the sharing of his or her story, in the process role modeling how the needs of individuals can be met.
• Help other providers to better understand and empathize with each client's unique experience and perceptions.
• Provide guidance and encouragement to clients to actively participate in their own recovery.
• Teach clients self-advocacy skills.
• Promote personal growth and development with mental health issues.
• Assist, teach, and support clients regarding activities of daily living, vocational skills, housing access, maintaining financial supports, and building support networks.
• Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and carry out leisure-time activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities and provide other opportunities to practice social skills.
• Link clients to other external sources of help, when needed.
• When appropriate, share with clients his/her own experiences with mental illness and recovery.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and supervision meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required:

Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations and policies regarding social service provision, reporting requirements, data practices and client rights.

Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural differences and special needs of various marginalized groups, and ability to consult with other providers regarding these.

Knowledge of community resources including functions of other social service agencies.

Knowledge of vulnerable adult laws and similar rules and regulations.

Knowledge of peer recovery philosophy and practice as it applies to those adults with mental health challenges.

Skill in consultation, problem solving and coordination of service delivery.

Skill in providing support to individuals and groups on short- and long-term bases.

Ability to prioritize work.

Ability to develop and maintain effective professional work relationships and therapeutic relationships with clients.

Ability to tolerate high levels of stress.

Ability to transport clients in the community.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in clients' and service providers' homes, treatment and residential facilities, courts and work sites. Frequent travel may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions, unsanitary conditions in homes, communicable illnesses and diseases, and unsafe environments. Direct service provision may require working with persons who can be hostile, aggressive, abusive, violent, or who pose a potential threat to personal safety.

Expectations:

Proper performance assures that appropriate and timely services are provided to protect clients; foster their development toward self-sufficiency and recovery or assist them in improving their quality of life; reduce the need for costlier or less effective types of care or services; maximize limited resources; and avoid service duplication. Failure to provide appropriate and timely services or intervention may leave vulnerable clients in abusive, neglectful, injurious, or life threatening situations. Poor performance may also result in appeals, lawsuits, poor public relations, and a reduction in the number of volunteers and service providers available to meet client needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Experience: Credentialed as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPSS).

Credentialing can be achieved by taking a required CPSS course by visiting the NC Peer Support Specialist Certification Program at pss.unc.edu