WELCOME TO THE PEER SUPPORT JOB OPPORTUNITIES BOARD

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

General Summary:

The Certified Peer Supporter serves as a role model and advocate for individuals experiencing mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. Utilizing personal lived experiences in recovery, the specialist provides mentorship, facilitates recovery-based interventions, and assists individuals in navigating available services. This role focuses on empowering individuals, promoting self-determination, and providing education on recovery resources, including community-based programs and support networks. This position operates in accordance with Rule 5122-29-15 and Rule 5122-29-15.1, which define peer support services and the certification requirements for adult, family, and youth peer supporters.

Work hours vary based on the department the CPS works in.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This position will provide a variety of the 14 elements Peer Services outlined below:

1. Ongoing exploration of recovery, resiliency, and wellness needs:

Assist individuals to identify healthy steps they will take to assist in their recovery including safety plans, self-care plans and recovery support groups
Facilitate group and individual interventions that help individuals plan for their recovery

2. Supporting individuals and their caregivers and families in achieving goals through increased knowledge, skills and connection as identified by the individual or family:

Educating individuals on available services, including peer support programs, advanced directives, living wills, and client rights processes.
Promote coordination and linkage among other providers (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.)
Provide individual recovery interventions that assist the individual function at the highest level possible in the home, community, workplace and school

3. Encouraging Hope:

Inspire and encourage hope through developing trust and rapport with individuals in or seeking recovery
Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.)
Provide a model for both people in recovery, family members and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible through clinical treatment and recovery supports

4. Support the development of life skills:

Provide skill development interventions that help the individual in such areas of healthy eating, healthy activities, building effective relationships, employment survival skills,
Facilitate peer-led support groups that provide support and empowerment

5. Developing and working toward achievement of individualized recovery, resiliency, and wellness goals;

Assists individuals in identifying personal recovery goals and developing plans to achieve them.
Provide recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from engagement, recovery planning, recovery treatment, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
Assist individuals in recovery in developing their own plan for advancing their recovery and improving functioning in the home, community, workplace and/or school. Teach and coach skills to navigate systems effectively and efficiently utilize services
6. Modeling personal responsibility for resiliency, recovery and wellness;

Demonstrates healthy recovery behaviors that roles models growth and change
7. Teaching and coaching skills to effectively navigate systems to effectively and efficiently utilize services;

This includes being a mentor and role model for individuals in recovery, offering guidance and support through personal lived experiences (when appropriate).
Provide recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from engagement, recovery planning, recovery treatment, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance
Provides support with applications for supplemental programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Housing, vocational rehabilitation, food pantries and other similar services
8. Addressing skills or behaviors, through processes that assist an individual, caregiver, or family in eliminating barriers to achieving or maintaining recovery, resiliency, and wellness;

May co-facilitate groups that focus on recovery and skill building activities (SUD, WMR, WHAM, NEWR etc.)
9. Assisting with accessing and developing natural support systems;

Promote self-advocacy by assisting individuals in expressing their voice, needs, goals and objectives.
Provide ongoing exploration of recovery, resiliency and wellness needs
10. Promoting coordination and linkage among providers;

Aids individuals in completing required forms and navigating healthcare and social service systems.
Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with recovering person after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
11. Coordinating or assisting in crisis interventions and stabilization;

Coordinate or assist in crisis interventions and stabilization
Engage with medical professionals, client rights officers, and other staff to facilitate problem-solving and advocate for individuals as they engage in crisis services.
12. Conducting outreach and community education;

Uses assertive outreach techniques to engage individuals into agency services at the courts, hospital, shelters, and other community organizations
Represents the organization at community meetings, technical assistance calls, and stakeholder presentations, providing information on peer recovery support services. Provides training on peer recovery service delivery for staff, interns, and program participants.
13. Attending and participating in team decision making or specific treatment team; or,

Collaborates with treatment teams (with consent) to support intake, discharge planning, and ongoing recovery efforts.
Participates in the integrated team meetings
14. Assisting individuals, caregivers, or families in the development of empowerment skills through advocacy and activities that mitigate discrimination and inspire hope.

Acts as a liaison between individuals in recovery and service providers, ensuring effective communication and problem resolution

Other vital duties:

15. Ensure compliance with Ohio Law and Licensing requirements by maintaining proper documentation, reporting, and adherence to ethical standards in peer support services.

16. Documents all activities and interactions as directed by the supervisor.

Specific/Individual Competencies:

Strong communication and active listening skills.
Must have computer skills needed to document service interventions
Must have the ability to use electronic health records
Ability to establish trust and build positive relationships with individuals in recovery.
Understanding of mental health and substance use disorder recovery principles.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Demonstrates cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse populations.
Maintenance of at least one CPS certification in Ohio

Organizational Competencies:

Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
Strives for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and/or assistance to coworkers and clients through the integrated care process.
Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
Demonstrate teamwork.
Abide by the agencies and/or professional code of ethics.
Strives to improve own and agency operations.

Requirements
Position Qualifications:

-Must be an individual with lived experience in mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorder recovery.

-Must meet state requirements for Certified Peer Recovery Supporter, including:
Registration through OhioMHAS as a Certified Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter.
Completion of 16-hour online OhioMHAS E-Based Academy Course.
Completion of a minimum of 40 hours of peer service delivery training or three years of formal experience in peer service delivery.
Successful passage of the OhioMHAS Certified Peer Recovery Supporter exam.

-High School Diploma

-Specialty designation in mental health and/or substance use disorder based on personal recovery experience.

-Must adhere to HIPAA and confidentiality regulations.

-Must adhere to Ohio Law/Licensing board requirements for certification and service delivery standards

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center provides a full continuum of care which includes a trauma-informed environment for both patients and staff.

We are currently seeking a full-time ACT Peer Support Specialist to support others in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders. They will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recovering individuals in order to help prevent relapse and promote long term recovery. The Peer Support Specialist must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer to peer relationships.

Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 2:30pm

Job duties include but are not limited to:

-Provide recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from engagement, recovery, planning recovery treatment, recovery stabilization and sustained recovery maintenance.

-May facilitate groups which may include, but not limited to groups which focus on recovery and skill building activities.

-Provide a model for both people in recovery/family members/friends/supporters of people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.

-Assists individuals to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses regarding the recovery process, thus providing information for treatment plan development.

-Coordinate and/or participate in community integration activities

-Assist individuals in developing their own plan for advancing their recovery and improving functioning in the home, community, workplace and/or in assigned committees, meetings, and trainings

-Promotes self-advocacy by assisting individuals in expressing their voice, needs, goals and objectives.

-Actively identify and support linkages to community resources and organizations that support the individual’s goals and interests on all eight dimensions of wellness.

-Identify barriers to successful participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers

-Maintain a professional approach and understand the importance of clear boundaries between staff, self and fellow peers.

-Maintains contact, in person and by phone, with recovering persons to insure their ongoing success, provide and to provide support in partnership with internal and external resources of needed.

Requirements:

-Minimum of HS diploma/GED

-PSS must have the acquired or meet the qualifications for certification as an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter
Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter training requires 16 hours of pre-course work which the PSS will receive instructions on how to access/complete if accepted to the training. There is an additional 40 hours of in person training over the course of a 5 day period. Attendance for all training is mandatory to receive the certificate; there are no opportunities to make up work.

-The Peer Recovery Supporter must have a working knowledge of mental health and the drug and alcohol treatment and legal systems.

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

We are currently seeking a Per Diem Peer Support Specialist to support others in recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders. They will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery. The Resiliency Coach must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships, with an emphasis on reducing the risk of suicide.

Hours: Normal business days between 8:30am and 4:30pm

Essential Duties of this position include but are not limited to:

-Provide recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from engagement, recovery planning, recovery treatment, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.

-Provide a model for both people in recovery, family members/friends/supporters of people in recovery, and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.

-Assist individuals to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses regarding the recovery process, thus providing information for treatment plan development through the integrated service team.

-Assist individuals in recovery in developing their own plan for advancing their recovery and improving functioning in the home, community, workplace and/or school environments.

-Administer NOMs at engagement, 6 months, and one year after starting the program.

-Actively identify and support linkages to community resources and organizations that support the individual’s goals and interests with focus on all eight dimensions of wellness.

-Link individuals to appropriate professional resources and provide thorough explanations of the benefits of these services.

-Maintain a professional approach and understand the importance of clear boundaries between self, staff, and fellow peers.

-Assures timely and accurate electronic/written documentation of services provided as required by designated program.

-Regularly monitor and update the client safety plans – including early signs questionnaire.

Requirements:

-Lived experience of mental health and/or substance used disorder

-Working knowledge of the recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes

-Ability to assist individuals in addressing symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk and other techniques

-They must be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from individuals on their strengths and interests

-Minimum of high school diploma/GED

-The Resiliency coach must have acquired or meet the qualifications for certification as an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter

The ACT Peer Support Specialist serves as mentor and guide to clients living with a severe mental illness, who are unable to live independently in the community without intensive daily support and access to treatment providers 24/7. Peer support services include, but are not limited to, intensive outreach for engagement, provide emotional support, offer ongoing case management, teach recovery and coping skills, share information on local resources, and assist clients in the community. This position requires the person to share their lived experience in mental health (and possibly substance use) recovery for the purpose of empowering clients in their own recovery journey. The person in this position also provides support to non-peer staff by offering unique perspectives on potential unseen barriers that negatively impact a person’s engagement in treatment. This position participates as a member of the ACT treatment team.

Primary Duties:

-Provides assertive community treatment services to clients assigned to the ACT Program in accordance with the State mandates and established Agency and program policies, procedures, philosophy and client individual service plan.
-Maintains confidentiality and ensures release of information is handled in accordance with federal guidelines and agency policy/procedures.
-Participates in ACT Team Meetings, supervision, in-service training and conferences according to established policies and procedures, Ohio MHAS requirements and rules in order to keep abreast of agency procedures, upgrade personal knowledge, improve teamwork and service coordination.

Unison also offers:

Nine paid holidays
Medical, dental and vision insurance, short and long-term disability plans and life insurance
HSA employer contribution
403b retirement plan that includes a base and match
On-site education and training
Tuition reimbursement