Certified Peer Support Specialist II

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Certified Peer Support Specialist II provides peer support services to patients with serious mental illnesses, forensic commitment, and/or addiction issues, and serves in the orientation and training of other peer specialists. Under the supervision of the Director of Peer Support the Certified Peer Support Specialist will function as a role model to peer specialists and persons served; exhibiting competency in personal recovery. The Certified Peer Support Specialist performs a wide range of tasks providing guidance to other Peer Support Specialist and persons served. The Certified Peer Support Specialist assists peers of all ages, from young adults to seniors, in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Work involves engagement in interactions with persons served, assisting management of the peer services department; assessing competency of peer specialists; and leading individual and group sessions. The Certified Peer Support Specialist supports persons served self-determination with immediate and long-term concerns; supports persons served in participation with recovery team planning; serves as a consumer advocate; leads educational panels for organizational staff, committees, and communities; and assists with providing training in trauma informed care, recovery model, or person-centered care to others. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Supports persons served in developing communication, social skills, problem solving, and self-help skills. Models recovery achievements and supports persons served with their recovery efforts. Builds and maintains individual relationships and shares recovery stories with persons served and external stakeholders. Teaches problem solving techniques and assist patients in combating stigma and how to handle problems that may arise in interactions with others. Shares their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports and resources they use. As much as possible, shares their own recovery story as the facilitator of these sessions, and demonstrates how they have directed their own recovery. Teaches patients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and the Peer Specialist to share their experiences.

Assists patients in articulating personal goals for recovery using one-to-one and group sessions. Supports patients during these sessions in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals. Assists patients in working with their case manager or treatment team to determine the steps they need to take to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery. Supports persons served with preparation for team meetings, and assures person served can participate to the best of their desire and ability in the recovery planning meeting.

Provides orientation, training, and competency assessment to new and current Peer Specialists. Periodically observes both individual and group facilitation to assure quality of service delivery. Provides ongoing updated training regarding current practices in peer support and recovery to Peer Specialists.

Completes all required documentation, focusing on services provided and patient ability to comprehend and participate in treatment process. Periodically reviews Peer Specialist documentation and recovery plans to assure quality of service delivery.

Leads educational panels for organizational staff, committees, and communities. Shares recovery materials with others at continuing education seminars and attends continuing education seminars and other in-service training when offered.

Fosters integration of persons served into communities including transporting patients safely to appropriate destinations and operating vans in a safe manner. Assists patients in setting up and sustaining community mutual support groups, as well as, means of locating and joining existing groups. Supports patients’ vocational choices and assists them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips. Provides opportunities to visit potential discharge settings, involves patients in discharge preparation, and reviews need for support systems in the community. On occasion, provides oversite of peer support specialists during outings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of the recovery process, person centered care, trauma informed care

Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual patients in self-directed recovery

Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e., auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation, etc.)

Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe mental illness. Community resources may include but are not limited to: public transportation, social security office, local YMCA, Library, restaurants, clients’ service organizations, housing providers, etc.

Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the mental health consumers on their strengths and interests.

Knowledge of peer programs for persons with behavioral and intellectual challenges, of peer philosophy and role, of recovery models, of trauma-informed care, and general knowledge of medications administered to persons.

Working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials

Knowledge of HHSC Human Resources regulations

Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software (i.e., CAPPS, AVATAR, etc.)

Ability to provide training and mentoring to other Peer Specialists

Ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.

Ability to assist patients to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.

Ability to communicate effectively and to provide support and encouragement to persons served toward achievement of individual treatment and discharge goals.

Ability to share personal challenges, to listen, assess, document, and monitor interactions between employees and persons served.

Ability to operate a state vehicle (van, wheelchair van, or sedan)

Ability to lead teams, communicate effectively, and to train others.

Ability to assure adherence to trauma informed care, recovery model, and person-centered care philosophy.

Ability to follow policies and procedures.

Ability to work with persons in challenging situations.

Ability to audit and assess competency for peer specialist services.

Ability to identify self as having a lived experience with mental health/substance abuse challenges and willingness to share own personal recovery story.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be a Certified Peer Support Specialist by a State of Texas credentialing authority.

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent

At least one (1) year of documented experience working with persons with mental illness.

Experience navigating mental health, substance use and interfacing with the criminal justice system preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. Vaccines may be provided. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form