Certified Peer Specialist - IRTS

As a Certified Peer Specialist at RADIAS Health, you will provide invaluable peer support to clients in the IRTS program. Your main responsibilities include validating clients' experiences, assisting with daily living skills, guiding clients in their recovery, facilitating group activities, and acting as an advocate for client rights. Your role is crucial in promoting a culture of recovery, self-determination, and personal empowerment.

To qualify for the Certified Peer Specialist position at RADIAS Health, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a primary diagnosis of mental illness. Additionally, you must be a current or former consumer of mental health services with a demonstrated commitment to recovery. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences and experience working with adults suffering from serious persistent mental illness.

The Certified Peer Specialist at RADIAS Health will work a Tuesday to Saturday schedule, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, totaling 40 hours per week. This position operates onsite at the Community Foundation IRTS, ensuring a hands-on approach to client support and engagement.

Peer support is fundamental in the IRTS program at RADIAS Health as it fosters a unique rapport between peers who share similar experiences. This connection helps clients feel understood and validated while encouraging them to actively engage in their recovery process. By providing hope, empathy, and practical advice, CPSs play a vital role in transforming lives, blending personal experience with professional guidance.

RADIAS Health is committed to the professional growth of Certified Peer Specialists through routine supervision with mental health professionals and access to licensure supervision opportunities. The organization also promotes ongoing training focused on personal growth and recovery strategies, ensuring that you are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to support your clients effectively.

When discussing your experiences as a peer specialist, highlight specific instances where you have supported clients in their recovery. Discuss any challenges you faced, how your own journey has enriched your capacity to connect with others, and emphasize the impact you had on your clients' lives.

Emphasize the importance of empowering clients in their treatment by actively involving them in the planning and decision-making processes. Share effective communication techniques you use to encourage clients to express their goals and preferences while determining the best strategies for their recovery.

When answering this question, discuss your approach to understanding the root causes of challenging behaviors and your techniques for de-escalation and support. Mention your skills in patience, empathy, and active listening to create a safe space for clients and help redirect their focus toward positive actions.

Highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate with various professionals in a treatment team. Discuss your role in bridging the gap between clients and staff, ensuring that client perspectives are represented and respected, and creating a harmonious environment focused on recovery.

Discuss how mentorship allows you to model positive behaviors and provide guidance that fosters hope and empowerment. Share an example of a mentoring relationship that inspired growth in a client, and reflect on how this experience shaped your approach as a CPS.

To strike a balance between being professional and relatable, it's important to establish boundaries while sharing appropriate personal experiences that resonate with clients. Discuss your approach to maintaining professionalism through regular supervision and training while ensuring your clients see you as an ally in their journey.

When handling a resistant client, it’s essential to practice patience and empathy. You might start by building rapport with them, acknowledging their feelings, and gradually introducing group activities at their comfort level. Highlight your adaptability in finding individual approaches that resonate with the client to encourage participation.

Describe your creative strategies for planning and facilitating group activities that are engaging yet accessible to clients. Discuss how you evaluate clients' interests and adapt activities to foster participation while ensuring they align with therapeutic goals in the IRTS program.

Share your personal motivations for becoming a Certified Peer Specialist, emphasizing how your own recovery journey inspires you to help others. Discuss the significance of peer support in mental health and how it aligns with your values and experiences.

Talk about your commitment to continual learning through professional development opportunities, attending workshops, and engaging in supervision with mental health professionals. Reflect on specific skills you aim to improve and how they positively influence your practice.