Certified Peer Specialist - Chester County ACT Team

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The ACT/FACT Certified Peer Specialist is a member of a multidisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment Team. The Certified Peer Specialist provides supportive services—including outreach, monitoring, assessment and service planning, support network building, consultation to families, side-by-side skills training, and instruction in the use of community resources, including referrals to community assistance, as needed. The Certified Peer Specialist has personal experience as a recipient of mental health or co-occurring substance use services and is willing to partner with participants to facilitate their recovery and community integration.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet with ACT participants—in their homes and other community venues—to provide in vivo services which improve the participants’ quality of life and maintain community tenure. Services include, but are not limited to:(a) Assisting with activities of daily living, (b) Budget planning and money management, (c) Maintenance of stable housing, (d) Accessing benefits and entitlements to increase financial independence, (e) Meal planning and grocery shopping, (f) Access to reliable transportation services, (g) Side-by-side coaching and training, & (h) Transport and accompany clients to scheduled community activities or appointments.

• Provide medication service—including delivery of medications and observation of ingestion—as directed by the team psychiatrist, nursing staff, and Team Leader.

• In collaboration with other members of the ACT staff, provide service coordination for an assigned group of clients, (a) Assume responsibility for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising treatment goals, (b) Provide individual and supportive counseling to assist with symptom management.

• Provide on-call crisis services on a rotating schedule (including both primary on-call responsibilities and back-up on-call responsibilities)—as directed by the Team Leader—to cover program needs.

• Complete documentation of all services in a timely manner, using the electronic health record, in accordance with program and Network standards.

• Work weekend, evening, and holidays on a rotating schedule—as directed by the Team Leader—to cover program needs.

• Cross-train with other ACT Specialties to provide other services (e.g., housing support, vocational support, etc.) to the ACT participants.

• The Certified Peer Specialist provides education to ACT participants, ACT staff, family members, and other community members regarding the recovery process and provides hope and encouragement that recovery is possible.

• The Certified Peer Specialist coaches ACT participants in identification of strengths, challenges, and goals.

• The Certified Peer Specialist completes assessments of the participants’ past and current experiences with behavioral health services and assists the participants with developing service plans that focus on recovery goals.

• The Certified Peer Specialist provides educational and support groups to participants of the ACT Team. These groups may use evidenced based processes (when the CPS is properly trained), such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

• The Certified Peer Specialist provides primary support to ACT participants and provides cross-training to the other members of the ACT team—to assist with access to community-based supports and resources—with the goal of promoting mental health stability and reducing forensic and hospital recidivism.

• Other duties may be assigned.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Demands: Heavy work exertional activity. Occasionally lift and/or carry up to 50 lbs., and sit, stand, and/or walk at least 6 hours in an 8-hour workday.

Non-exertional activity: Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees)- required frequently; handling (grasping)- required frequently; fine manipulation- required occasionally.

Important: The functional capacity to perform heavy work includes the functional capacity to perform medium, light, and sedentary work.

Good physical and mental health. Visual and auditory acuity required to provide comprehensive care. 

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or equivalent required.           

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Must hold and maintain Certified Peer Specialist certification through the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Dual CPS/CRS certification welcome. WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) certification preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license along with a driving record in compliance with St. Luke’s University Health Network policy.

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address.  Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.  Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable.  It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application.  Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.