Client Advocate I / Peer Support (Pee Dee)

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 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, Pee Dee Mental Health Center, 125 East Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506.

As the Client Advocate I, under supervision of the Mental Health Professional, you will assure that all services rendered by a Client Advocate Assistant are provided in accordance with the certification training standards established by the SCOMH and with accepted standards of clinical practice. Client Advocate Assistant Services promote community socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, self-help, and development of natural supports.

Responsibilities for the Client Advocate I / Peer Support Specialist:

Serve as an active member of the client's treatment team. Advocate for services requested by the client.

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

Transportation by peer support utilized in helping the client gain information and support from the community.

Plan activities with the client 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 with learning how to maintain stable housing and employment. Provide support and encouragement to both the client and their family members, when it is the choice of the client to do so.

Increased collaboration with community partners. Increase membership of the Patient Advisory Board and sponsor many awareness/advocacy events.

Coordinate and sponsor a minimum of nine (9) events to promote mental health awareness and advocacy. As needed, transportation by peer support staff, effectively assist clients in reaching these goals.

Offer clients hope of recovery from mental illness by sharing their own recovery stories and teaching clients 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, will document the following on the client's treatment plan;

• Identified, person-centered strengths, needs abilities and recovery goals.
• Interventions to assist the consumer with reaching their goals for recovery.
• Progress made towards goals.

Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the areas of mental health through relevant materials and through continuing education when offered by the Office of Human Affairs and SCDBHDD.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree may be submitted for the required program experience.

Additional Requirements

• Provide services in client's current living situation, natural environment, and in a traditional setting.

Qualifications

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

Additional Information

Post hire, employees must:

• Have knowledge of group behavior and dynamic, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
• Be able to listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Have the ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Be able to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Have the ability to look for ways to help people.
• Be able to handle complaints, settle disputes, resolve grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiate with others.

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.

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