Client Advocate I /Certified Peer Support Specialist / NAVIGATE - New Directions (Charleston)

About the Department

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/ Certified Peer Support Specialist 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, Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, 2100 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston SC 29414.

As the Client Advocate working under general supervision of Peer Support Team Leader with support from the Team Leader, you will provide Peer Support Services (PSS) to NAVIGATE and New Directions FEP patients. The Peer Support Specialist guides patients toward the identification and achievement of specific goals defined by the patient and specified in the Plan of Care. Peer Support Services promote community socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, self-help and development of living and coping skills.

Responsibilities for the Client Advocate / Certified Peer Support Specialist:

• Position is supervised by a MHP who assures that all services rendered are provided in accordance with the certification training standards established by the SCDHDD and with accepted standards of clinical practice. 
• Serve as an active member of the NAVIGATE & New Directions treatment team; Advocate for services requested by the patient, cultivate the patient's ability to make informed, independent choices, to set goals and assist the patient in gaining information and support from the community. Plan activities with the patients that lead to improved self-concepts through empowerment and self-determination opportunities; Teach and role model the importance of medication monitoring, clear communication with doctors and other caregivers, developing a WRAP plan, Psychiatric Advance Directive, and/or crisis plan to facilitate or avoid/shorten hospitalizations. PSS will assist the patient with learning how to maintain stable housing and employment. Peer Support Specialist will provide support and encouragement to both the patient and his/her family members, when it is the choice of the patient to do so. 
• Offer patient hope of recovery from mental illness by sharing his/her own recovery stories and by teaching patients how to tell their own recovery stories effectively. Use your unique recovery experience to model the values of every individual's recovery experience and to teach effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• With assistance from a supervising MHP, you will document the following: Identified, person-centered strengths, needs, abilities and recovery goals; Intentions to assist the patient with reaching his/her goals for recovery; Progress made towards goals.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the areas of mental health through relevant materials and through continuing education when offered by the Office of Human Affairs and SCBHDD.
• Comply with all BHDD/CDMHC, polices and protocols, applicable QI, Corporate Compliance, Cultural Competency and CARF policies and procedures and Federal State rules and regulations; Attend all trainings classified mandatory by Federal and State regulations.

Position Duties

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Other Qualifications

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.

Benefits

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of South CarolinaAgency Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Address 400 Otarre Parkway

Cayce, South Carolina, 29033 PhoneOIDD - (803)898-9600
OMH - (803) 898-8600