Peer Emergency Services Specialist

Community Care Network is seeking a Peer Emergency Services Specialist in Rutland, Vermont. Community Care Network is comprised of Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs. Our mission is to enhance the well-being of our communities, individuals and families through responsive, innovative and collaborative human services. About the Role: The Peer Emergency Services Specialist is an active member of the Emergency Services Team and provides peer support services to clients through our 24 hours/day, 7 days/week crisis services program. The Peer Emergency Services Specialist functions as a role model, consumer advocate and support system to child and adult peers. While utilizing their own life experiences, the Peer Emergency Services Specialist will provide clients with intensive services including peer support, group facilitation, coping skills, coaching and emotion regulation skills. This position allows for creativity, and developing areas of interest in how they provide services and supports to individuals. When appropriate and helpful to the client, the Peer Recovery Support Specialist will share relevant personal experiences that foster hope, resiliency and decrease stigmatization of mental illness. Principal Responsibilities: Act as a role model for individuals seeking to achieve or maintain long term stability. Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the appropriate use of outpatient services. Guide clients to identify, create and develop a crisis/recovery plan using skill, strength, support and resources to meet goals. Help individuals who have long or recurrent involvement with psychiatric, forensic, or substance abuse facilities to identify precipitating events, coping skills and strategies to change these patterns. Work with individuals to examine their experience with crisis and help them to determine what is helpful to them in avoiding a crisis, helpful when they are in a crisis and helpful once they have made it through a crisis. Assist individuals in using formal and informal supports within the region and internet as appropriate. Attend and participate in face-to-face meetings, telephone or internet-based support, and leisure activities for psycho-social support. Provide supportive, social and psycho-educational contact in the community, at individual’s homes, at the local provider locations and at CCN as determined. Transport individuals when necessary for support and guidance as needed. Assist individuals, providers and the Emergency Services Team with referrals to community services. Provide intra-agency coordination and communication. Document all service contacts on a timely basis including face-to-face interviews, collateral and networking contacts, and/or correspondence in addition to maintaining case records in accordance with Agency and regulatory standards and requirements. Participate in interagency planning and service coordination activities as directed to improve and enhance service continuity and effectiveness for clients to include but not be inclusive of referrals to other interagency programs. Meet regularly with the immediate supervisor as a means of enhancing professional growth, review and process the provision of case management services, and deal with appropriate administrative issues. Maintain documentation and record keeping using EMR as required by the Agency, State, and accrediting bodies. Attend and participate in trainings and staff meetings as scheduled. Participate in community networking, education and support. Attend and participate in regular team meetings and supervision as required. Maintain professional standards regarding client rights. Provide training to staff in areas of expertise as requested by supervisor. Participate in community education activities as requested by supervisor. Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality policies, boundaries and professional ethics, mandated abuse reporting and duty to warn procedures. Adhere to Agency and Program standards, philosophy, policies and procedures. Maintain timely documentation and record keeping using EMR as required by program, State, Agency and accrediting bodies. Qualifications and Competencies: High School Diploma or GED required Maintain state certification as it evolves, completing all additional trainings and/or exam requirements in a timely fashion. Ability to work alternative work schedules, evenings and weekends as needed. Ability to navigate computers and necessary software to complete client documentation. Knowledge of maintaining and executing confidential information using HIPPA standards. Knowledge and ability to work effectively with adults experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms as part of a team of professional care providers. Understanding of the etiology and treatment of mental illness. Ability to provide recovery-oriented mentoring and support. Ability to work with clients and their families in a community-based setting. Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills. Able to work independently and as part of a team and exercise mature and professional judgment Able to participate in the creation of and adhere to a personal wellness plan which includes appropriate options for ongoing mental health care. A highly motivated self-starter and ability to coordinate multiple projects at once. Flexible, adaptable and have the capability to work in a fast paced, professional environment Excellent organizational skill Ability to appropriately utilize supervision Ability to enter a stressful situation calmly and professionally and make appropriate assessments Computer literacy - MS Outlook (email, calendar and tasks), MS-Word, MS Internet Explorer software. Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation with personal automobile liability insurance coverage at or above the levels mandated by the State of Vermont. *Successful completion of a criminal history background check after hire. Benefits: Competitive Pay Range $20.00-$21.50 (compensation is typically dependent upon experience) Comprehensive Benefit Package 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Career Training and Development Tuition Discounts Our work is guided by our Core Values of Trust, Accountability, Respect, Cultural Competence, Person-Centered Care, and Continuous Learning and Growth. CCN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.