Job Title: Care Coordinator (Certified Peer Specialist - CPS)

Job Code: SSS010/Client Support Worker 1

Shift: Full-Time (40 hours per week on average

Job Hours: Times May Vary

Base Location: Lawrenceville, GA

Division/Department/Program: Temporary Observation Unit (TOU)

View Point Health is a state agency of Georgia that provides assessment, group counseling, medication management, recovery and crisis stabilization services for behavioral health and developmental disabilities.

The View Point Health Acute Services has three Crisis Stabilization Programs.

Our Adult unit is in Lawrenceville, Georgia. We serve adult clients with psychiatric crisis intervention and stabilization services as well as substance use disorder.

Our Adolescent unit is in Decatur, Georgia. We serve adolescent clients (14-17) with psychiatric crisis intervention and stabilization services as well as substance use disorder.

Our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit is in Conyers, Georgia. We serve adolescent clients (10-14) on the Autism Spectrum with severe and challenging behaviors with psychiatric crisis intervention and stabilization services.

The Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU’s) operate 24 hours/7 days a week (including weekends and holidays) to provide a safe, structured, and locked environment for clients experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. The services are like residential treatment but provide a higher level of care due to our acuity of the clients who are in crisis. Our units operate much like a psychiatric hospital. A client’s stay with us is to help ensure he/she is stable from the prompting event of their crisis prior to discharge. Clients do not leave the facility during their stay with us. The Temporary Observation Unit (TOU) is located onsite in the same building as the CSU. It also operates 24/7 and is a locked environment for clients who may be experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis. This unit is reserved for the observation and assessment of a client to determine the level of care needed in a 23 hour or less time. During time on TOU a client may or may not be on an involuntary status and will be assessed by a nurse, physician, and clinician. A paraprofessional and CPS may also provide services during this time to assess the clients’ overall needs and level of care. At the end of their stay in TOU the treatment team must determine if the client necessitates CSU or inpatient services or if they are safe for discharge into a lower level of care such as ACT, ICM, or general outpatient services.

Our goal for Acute Services is to provide person-centered care and utilize a trauma-informed approach to our client and throughout their treatment experience with us.

Currently at our Adult Unit, we are looking for a Certified Peer Specialist to join our team working in the Temporary Observation Unit. This position is on-site and does not accommodate a remote schedule or working from home.

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) will work to build connections with adult clientele placed in the Temporary Observation Unit. The CPS will assist in needs identifications, solution brainstorming and self-advocacy. The CPS is tasked with providing meaningful resources that support the client to increase wellness and resilience and assist with transition back to the community when cleared for discharge. The CPS will assist/partner with the multi-disciplinary team, in developing responsive and flexible resources, while cooperatively working to ensure smooth transitions to other levels of care

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Complete initial billable activity (MH Peer Supports-Individual H0038 U4/U5 U6) with each client in the TOU during shift (maximum 6 individuals). Sessions must be a minimum of 30 minutes (2 units) with each client that is able to participate and should not exceed 2 hours (8 units).
• Complete any follow up billable activities to clients that were previously met with in TOU in the last 23 hours (Psychosocial Rehabilitation Individual H2017 HE U5 U6 OR Case Management T1016 U5 U6). Sessions must be a minimum of 15 minutes (1 unit) with each client that is able to participate and should not exceed 2 hours (8 units) for PSRI or 3 hours (12 units) for CM.
• May complete Family Training W/Out Client (H2014 HS U5 U6) or Family Training W/Client (H2014 HR U5 U6). Client should have family training sessions documented whenever clinically warranted based on criteria. Sessions must be a minimum of 15 minutes (1 unit) and no longer than 3.5 hours (14 units).
• Billable sessions include the following:
  • Share lived experience one-on -one to provide support to clients.
  • Engage and build professional supportive relationships with clients.
  • Assist clients with selecting appropriate services to suit their recovery goals.
  • Empower clients to advocate for themselves through effective modeling.
  • Refer clients to community-based resources, support, and opportunities.
  • Identify goals for recovery.
  • WRAP planning
  • Suicide prevention education and skills
  • Assist client in identifying triggers and coping tools.
  • Intervene when client is exhibiting crisis behaviors and assist with de-escalation.
• Complete all documentation within 24 hours of service and adhere to all documentation guidelines and service definitions for interventions for services to appropriately be billed.
• Act as an intermediary with clinical mental health staff by advocating for recovery-based interventions.
• Complete handoff report for treatment team.
• Meet daily billing goals of 4.5 hours (18 units or 360 units per month). Communicate with supervisor when unable to complete due to census or other reasons.
• Comply with all Viewpoint Health company policies specific to the employee manual and additional site-specific guidelines.
• Perform any other tasks or duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED AND One year of experience in a social service-related position OR Two years at an accredited college or university with at least 15 credit hours in a social services related field.

• Current State of Georgia Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certification
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, or holidays when scheduled.
• Ability to pass drug screen.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a helping profession
• Previous work experience as a Certified Peer Specialist

Previous work experience in a crisis stabilization setting or IFI/ACT team experience

Requirements/Competencies:

• Must be able to lift 20 pounds.
• Requires long periods of sitting/standing.
• Must have valid Georgia driver’s license and Motor Vehicle Record in accordance with company policy.
• Candidates for selection must pass a criminal background check (including fingerprinting).
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and subject to random drug screens.
• Any combination of training and experience, which would have enabled the applicant to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities Note: Some positions may require a valid driver's license.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits (for qualified employees):

• State Health Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, long-term care, legal services, flexible spending accounts)
• Paid New Hire Training
• Company contributes additional 7.5% of salary to 401(a) Retirement Plan
• No employee deduction for Social Security
• Additional benefits such as legal services, Employee Assistance Program and discounted tickets to attractions, shopping, technology and travel
• Supervision, training, and continuing education opportunities available

View Point Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: View Point Health recruits qualified candidates for positions in View Point Health programs throughout its service area. It is the policy of View Point Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.