Client Advocate / Peer Support / Community (Aiken)

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 / Peer Support /Community (Aiken) 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, Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center, 1135 Gregg Highway, Aiken, SC 29801.

As the Client Advocate / Peer Support /Community (Aiken), you will promote recovery of persons with mental illnesses, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder via provision of peer support services.

Responsibilities for the Client Advocate / Peer Support / Community (Aiken):

• Provide patient care hours annually ensuring that patients are seen in accordance with LOC and prior authorizations are completed prior to delivery of services. This includes individual and group services in a variety of settings/locations.

• Peer support services include mentoring, recovery coaching, peer-led groups, and navigation for social needs (e.g. housing, food).

• Document all services using collaborative documentation and in accordance with state, federal, and CARF guidelines.

• Compile with Corporate Compliance and Risk Management Plans.

• Complete required training, SCEIS training modules, and maintains PSS Certification. Includes participation in OMH PSS meetings/trainings.

• Demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities.

• Provide follow-up contacts to persons served in program to ensure continuity of care and promotion of recovery.

• Perform other duties as needed.

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

• Certification as Peer Support Specialist in South Carolina.

• 18 years of age.

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

• Demonstrate 2 years of sustained recovery w/o relapse;

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

Additional Requirements:• Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.

• 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; effective problem- solving skills and decision-making skills; will be required to maintain PSS Certification.
• Have knowledge of agency and community resources and ability to link individuals with resources.
• Have the ability to effectively teach individuals how to take responsibility for recovery.
• Have the ability to effectively advocate for patient needs.
• Have the ability to effectively collaborate with treatment team
• Have the ability to demonstrate sustained recovery.
• Be provided general supervision during scheduled supervision and treatment team meetings.
• Are expected to participate in State Peer Support meetings, trainings and center trainings.
• Delivery of peer support patients in individual, community and group setting.
• Complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education training annually of which at least 12 hours are face to face training.
• May deliver services in center locations and community.

Position is essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.

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.