Certified Peer Support Specialist | NC Peer Support Specialist Certification Program

Submitted by Quality Care So... on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 12:20pm

Program Summary: Provide an array of Peer Support Services and Administrative functions as directed or assigned by CEO, Program Manager and Clinical director.

Position: Peer Support Specialist must be certified by North Carolina’s Peer Support Specialist Program.

Reports to: Peer Support Services Program Supervisor (QP)

Summary: Peer Support Services (PSS) are an evidenced-based mental health model of care that provides community-based recovery services directly to an adult diagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder. PSS provides structured, scheduled services that promote recovery, self-determination, self-advocacy, engagement in self-care and wellness and enhancement of community living skills of adults. PSS services are directly provided by Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) who have self-identified as a person(s) in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder. PSS can be provided in combination with other approved mental health or substance use services or as an independent service. Due to the high prevalence of adults with co-occurring disorders (mental health, substance use or physical health disorders) it is a priority that integrated treatment be available to these adults.

PSS are based on the belief that adults diagnosed with serious mental health or substance use disorders can and do recover. The focus of the service is on the person, rather than the identified mental health or substance use disorder and emphasizes the acquisition, development, and expansion of rehabilitative skills needed to move forward in recovery. The services promote skills for coping with and managing symptoms while utilizing natural resources and the preservation and enhancement of community living skills.

The intent of the service is to be community-based rather than office-based.

Qualifications:

Individuals must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency. Person must be registered as a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist who: (a) self-identify as an individual with life experience of being diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder which meets federal definitions; (b) are well established in their own recovery and (c) are not a family member of the individual who receives Peer Support services. Within 30 days of employment, an individualized supervision contract shall be developed and reviewed annually. Supervision shall be provided by a Qualified Professional.

Job Roles, Duties and Responsibilities

Has knowledge of peer support principles, values, and ethics.
Ability to share lived experience to support, encourage and enhance a client’s treatment and recovery.
Possess recovery-oriented skills and knowledge to provide peer support services.
Ability to collaborate with the program QP to assess their own strengths and areas of growth and be involved in the development of a supervision plan.
Participate in monthly supervision with supervisor.
Ability to collaborate with a beneficiary to explore and identify barriers to accessing community resources or treatment providers.
Ability to model and mentor recovery values, attitudes, beliefs, and personal actions to encourage wellness and resilience for clients served and to promote a recovery environment in the community, residence, and workplace.
Ability to explore with a client the importance and creation of a wellness identity through open sharing and challenging viewpoints.
Ability to promote a client’s opportunity for persona growth by identifying teachable moments for building relationship skills to empower the client and enhance personal responsibility.
Ability to model and share decision-making tools to enhance a client’s healthy decision-making process.
Ability to provide examples of healthy social interactions and facilitate familiarity with, and connection to, the local community.
Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to conditions that constitute an emergency to include both physical and behavioral health crisis utilizing the emergency response procedure of the agency.
Ability to provide support to the client in navigating systems (medical, social services, or legal).
Ability to promote self-advocacy by facilitating each client’s learning about his or her human and legal rights and supporting the client while exercising those rights to support the empowerment of the client.
Provide services in client’s place of residence, community, in an emergency department or in an office setting. Exception: Cannot be provided in the residence of Peer Support services staff.
Ensure authorized service units are not underutilized or overutilized.
Appropriately document Peer Support services rendered in a service note as stipulated by agency’s policies and procedures AND Records Management and Documentation Manual APSM 45-2.
Report incidents to supervisor within 24 hours to ensure it is timely entered into IRIS.
Attend required staff meetings, Peer Support Treatment Team Meetings, trainings, and other on-call meetings.
Perform other duties, tasks and assignments related to the position as delegated by supervisor.

Other Position Characteristics

Follow the Guiding Values for Peers Support in North Carolina

Individuals with lived experience have an essential role to play in the public mental health/substance abuse service system and are considered peer supporters.
The roles that are created for peers within the service system should fully utilize the lived experience of the peer supporter, viewing it as a credential that the individual brings to the work that they do.
Lived experience is necessary and on-going skill development for peer supporters is essential.
The recovery environment of the workplace is fundamental to the success of peer supporters and recovery for the individuals served.
Peer supporters are highly valued members of an agency; therefore, are fully integrated members of the mental health/substance abuse service delivery system.
Equality and respect between peer supporters and traditional professionals must be reciprocal.
Choice and self-determination are important components in everyone’s recovery, including individuals receiving and providing services.
Recovery is possible for every individual.

Follow clear boundaries implemented by the North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics.

Knowledge of agency’s guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Has the support, access, credibility, competency, respect and the valued role within the mental health and substance abuse service delivery system to positively impact the lives of individuals experiencing mental health and addiction challenges.

All possible health and safety measures will be met to protect consumers.

Peer Support Specialist must meet one of the following educational qualifications based on the targeted population being served:

High school diploma or equivalent
The Peer Support Specialist to recipient ratio shall not exceed 8:1(if each consumer approved for 5 hours per week) or 4:1 (if consumer is approved for 10 hours per week)

Peer Support Specialist shall have no more than 10 consumers on their caseload at any given time.

The Peer Support Specialist must be available for monthly group or individual supervision and other job-related trainings
The Peer Support Specialist must be able to deliver services in various environments, such as homes, court, homeless shelters, street locations, and other community settings
Must have and maintain a valid NCDL and current personal auto insurance
Must maintain and have a valid NC CPSS certificate

Training Requirements

General organizational orientation prior to date of service
Client Rights within 30 calendar days of hire
Confidentiality within 30 calendar days of hire
Meet the needs of clients as specified in the PCP prior to date of service
Infectious Diseases and Blood borne Pathogens within 30 calendar days of hire
Basic First Aid and CPR within 30 calendar days of hire
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) must be current as of the date of service
3 hours of Peer Support Services Policy components review within 30 calendar days of hire
1 hour of Documentation Training within 30 calendar days of hire
10 hours of continuing education annually, to include 1.5 hours NCCPSS approved Ethics Training

Peer Support Specialist shall participate in additional CEU hours of peer support-related training that is appropriate for the population being served. Additional training options include: