Client Advocate I / Peer Support Specialist - ACT Team (Charleston)

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Client Advocate / Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) 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 BHDD - Office of Mental Health, Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC), 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston SC 29414.

As the Client Advocate I, working under direct supervision, you will serve on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team that provides evidenced based services in an intensive non-residential treatment and rehabilitative services in accordance with the fidelity model. This is a single fixed point of responsibility for treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs for patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) who require higher levels of community care and have not been well supported in lower level of care options.

Responsibilities for the Client Advocate I / Certified Peer Support Specialist:• Provide direct services through coaching, mentoring and consultation to the patient to promote recovery, self-advocacy and self-direction. Promotes wellness management strategies, which include delivering manualized interventions, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) or Illness Management and Recovery. Assist patients in developing Psychiatric Advanced Directives. Model recovery values, attitutes, beliefs and personal action to encourage wellness and resilience.

• Maintain medical records documentation standards with QA, BHDD-OMH and CARF policies and procedures. Document services collaboartively with the patient as appropriate.

• Provide consultation to ACT Team members to assist in understanding recovery and the role of the CPSS, promote a culture in which patients' points of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected, and integrated into treatment.

• Serve as an active member of the ACT team, which includes facilitating the IPOC process for patients assigned to them. Regularly participate in the daily team meetings and treatment planning meetings. Ensure at least a monthly staffing of each patient that they serve,

• Provide patients with satisfaction surveys to measure the patients' own perception of care, access to service, and improve the quality of treatment.

• Adhere to policies and procedures according to Corporate Compliance, Fire and Safety and CARF. Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, and clinical trainings. Maintain CPSS certification. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, and BHDD-OMH and Center policies and procedures.

• A high school diploma and relevant human services or social services experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required experience.

Additional Requirements• Be at least 18 years of age.

• Self-Identify as a person diagnosed with mental illness/ substance use (MI/SU).

• Demonstrate 2 years of sustained recovery without relapse.

• Completed 100 hours of supervised, paid, or volunteer work providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with MI, SU, or co-occurring disorder.

• The employee is required to have a serviceable personal vehicle and a valid SC driver's license.

• Position requires the ability to bend, stoop, climb, drive from location to location, and lift up to 5 pounds.

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

Post hire, employees must: • Have the ability to communicate orally, and in writing.

• Have effective problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills.
• Be required to obtain and maintain Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• Be knowledgeable of agency and community resources and have the ability to link individuals with recourses.
• Be able to effectively teach individuals how to take responsibility for recovery.
• Able to effectively advocate for patient needs, with the ability to collaborate with treatment team, and demonstrate sustained recovery.

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.