Youth Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

The Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) position works as part of a treatment team to facilitate the efficient operation of the Child & Family program and client services.

The Youth Peer Support Specialist assists youth who are receiving mental health services in a variety of activities that require many skills and participation in the person centered treatment process.

The YPSS position is full-time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include, but may not be limited to the following :

• Reports to work on time as scheduled and at the location assigned.
• Provides youth peer support and advocacy.
• Builds and fosters relationship with the youth and the family and others working with the youth.
• Assists youth in pursuing appropriate resources including safe and stable housing, eligible benefits, establishing a healthy support system and increased independence.
• Prepares youth to fully participate in their own meetings and treatment planning process.
• Practices Person Centered Planning and Recovery principles.
• Works as part of a treatment team to facilitate efficient operation of the program and client services.
• Participates in developing problem solving strategies as related to client and program needs.
• Shares own recovery experience with consumers and provide support based on personal knowledge of mental illness. Serves as a role model and active participant in supporting youth in meeting their treatment plan goals.
• Participates in supervision and program staff meetings.
• Participates in developing problem solving strategies as related to client and program needs.
• Provides conscientious and reliable delivery of clinical services while maintaining high standards of personal conduct in a manner that fosters recovery and independence.
• Utilizes appropriate and effective interventions based on client needs.
• Creates a supportive environment conducive to client growth.
• Respects the privacy and confidentiality of those they serve at all times, as well as respects the rights and dignity of those they serve.
• Complete the required State of Michigan Youth Peer Specialist Training, pass the exam and become a State of Michigan certified YPSS.
• Adhere to the Michigan Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics.
• Keeps current with emerging knowledge relevant to recovery, and openly share this knowledge with their colleagues and those they serve.
• Actively pursue recovery in their own life as well as role model recovery for others.
• Completes all Progress and Chart notes within 48 business hours of service delivery.
• Maintains required 80 monthly direct service hours.
• When appropriate, completes all other duties in a reasonable established timeframe, within quality expectations.
• When appropriate, responsible for transporting consumers to community appointments, clinic appointments, activities and other resources as identified in their person-centered plan.

COMPETENCIES

Equity Mindset -Understands and is committed to goals of equity, consistently centers equity in the organization’s work and workplace :

• Awareness of equity issues
• Ability to actively combat inequities

YPSS has awareness of vulnerable populations and identifies disparities that prohibit access to healthcare services. YPSS believes in the potential and resilience of all clients and seeks feedback on the treatment effectiveness and satisfaction from disparity-vulnerable individuals and families.

The YPSS is engaged in continuous learning and reflection of personal bias, assumptions and cultural awareness.

Cultural Humility -Demonstrates the value of diversity and inclusion; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates a diverse team thriving within the organization :

• Awareness
• Advancing diversity and inclusion
• YPSS values diversity and inclusion in the workplace; is respectful of the opinions of others and has awareness of the value of a multiple lens cultural perspective;

contributing to the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the workforce and community.

Communication -Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening :

• Communication approach
• Inquiry and listening
• Collaboration

YPSS demonstrates strong communication skills with professional peers, colleagues, clients and their family members. YPSS demonstrates professionalism through respectful, non-judgmental and welcoming interventions.

Ownership and Quality of Work - Effectively manages own work, and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of high-quality service :

• Taking ownership
• Quality of work product

YPSS efficiently manages caseload, consistently meets required timeframes and ensures the highest quality of service delivery and consumer satisfaction.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma / GED. Some college preferred. Experience as a consumer of mental health services.

QUALIFICATIONS - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed are representative of the education, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Possession of a valid Michigan Driver’s License with a good driving record.
• Access to a private vehicle for day-today performance, when needed.
• Completion of Youth Peer Training within 6 months of hire.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possess the ability to communicate with others clearly in writing and verbally, with active listening skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the application procedures for the entitlements that are needed to be able to reside in the community.
• Be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of budgeting, household management, nutrition, and be able to teach these skills to others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.