Client Advocate I / Peer Support Specialist (Anderson)

Full Job Description

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community.

We are seeking a Client Advocate I (Anderson) who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness.

If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Anderson County Clinic, 1 Linwa Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29625.

A Peer Support Service is a structured and scheduled therapeutic activity with an individual patient or group provided by a trained, self-identified consumer of mental health services. A Peer Support Specialist guides a patient toward the identification and achievement of specific goals defined by the patient and specified in the Individual Treatment Plan. Peer Support Services promote community socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, self-help and development of natural supports.

This position is supervised by a Mental Health Professional who assures that all services rendered by the Peer Support Specialist are provided in accordance with the certification training standards established by the OMH and with accepted standards of clinical practice.

Responsibilities for the Peer Support Specialist include:

Serve as an active member of the patient’s treatment team. Peer Support Specialist will advocate for services requested by the patient.

Cultivate the patient’s ability to make informed, independent choices, to set goals, and assist the patient in gaining information and support from the community.

Plan activities with the patient that lead to improved self-concepts through empowerment and self-determination opportunities.

Teach and role model the importance of medication monitoring, clear communication with doctors and other caregivers, developing a WRAP plan, Psychiatric Advance Directive, and/or crisis plan to facilitate or avoid/shorten hospitalization.

Assist the patient with learning how to maintain stable housing and employment.

Provide support and encouragement to both the patient and their family members, when it is the choice of the patient to do so.

Offer patients hope of recovery from mental illness by sharing their own recovery stories and by teaching patients how to tell their own recovery stories effectively.

Use their unique recovery experience to model the value of every individual’s recovery experience and to teach effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.

With assistance from a supervising MHP, the Peer Support Specialist will document the following on the patient’s treatment plan:

• A. Identified, person-centered strengths, needs, abilities and recovery goals.

• B. Interventions to assist the consumer with reaching their goals for recovery.
• C. Progress made towards goals.

Conduct/co-facilitate continuing education opportunities on a regional basis for other Peer Support Specialists. Actively participate in train-the trainer exercises related to the certification training and continuing education programs. Maintain a valid SC Driver’s License.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Applicant must be a current or former patient of mental health services, plus have one-year participation in a local or national patient movement or demonstrate recovery experience. Related experience as a trainer or presenter preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Must possess a valid SC Driver’s License.
• If not already certified as a SC Peer Support Specialist by SC Share, must attend mandatory training and certification requirements after initial hire.
• This position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, lift and file.
• This position could be considered essential. Therefore, the employee in this position may be asked to report to work even if the Center is closed in the event of an emergency.

Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
  

Additional Information

Post hire, employees must:

• Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.
• Employee will be required to complete and pass SC Share Peer Support Training and continuing education programs,
• Will maintain a working knowledge of current trans and developments in the areas of mental health.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.

Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education.

A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.