Responsibilities

Pathways Center has two 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Units; one for adults and one for individuals ages 5-17.  Pathways Center's Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU's) are short term (2-7 days), medically monitored crisis residential programs, which offer services for a limited duration to stabilize acute psychiatric or behavioral symptoms, evaluate treatment needs, and develop plans to meet the needs of persons served.  The programs operate 24 hours per day 7 days per week. The CSU's are designed to serve as a first line of community based alternative care to hospitalization, offering psychiatric stabilization and detoxification services on a short-term basis. 

In addition to the crisis stabilization programs, Pathways Center has a Crisis Service Center (CSC) based in Newnan, GA.  The CSC provides on-site and telephonic crisis intervention and 23-hour observation services 24 hour a day, 7 days per week.  The CSC operates on a walk-in basis and provides psychiatric/substance abuse related crisis evaluation and brief intervention services to support an individual who is experiencing an abrupt and substantial change in behavior noted by severe impairment of functioning typically associated with a precipitating situation or a marked increase in personal distress.  Interventions are provided by licensed behavioral health professionals designed to prevent out of community treatment or hospitalization. 

Note:  This is a night shift position.  You will work from 7 pm - 7 am, 3 shifts one week and 4 shifts the next week and you'll work 2 weekends a month.  

The Certified Peer Specialist promotes consumer self-determination and decision-making and provides essential expertise and consultation to the entire team to promote a culture in which each client’s point of view and preferences are recognized, understood, respected and integrated into the treatment, rehabilitation and community self-help. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

 □         Engages new admissions upon entrance into the facility to engage and build rapport

□         Provides support to persons in crisis and their natural supports as they seek psychiatric stabilization or detoxification services

□         Provides education and skill-building to individuals presenting and/or admitted to the behavioral health crisis center

□         Provides first-hand experience about the recovery process, symptom management and persistence required to have a satisfying life

□         Assists clients in developing the skills to advocate for him/herself in the recovery process

□         Provides support for the client during the client’s engagement in the treatment planning and discharge planning processes, upon the client’s request

□         Acts as a consumer advocate

□         Participates in treatment team meetings and shift change meetings

□         Works collaboratively with members of the treatment team to ensure the best possible outcomes for the persons served

□         Provides post-discharge follow-up calls to determine the effectiveness of services and promote engagement in aftercare services

□         Provides a warm hand-off, when requested, to assist individuals in transitioning to the next level of care

□         Participates in performance improvement committee meetings and local community collaborative meetings

□         Completes required documentation in the Electronic Medical Record.

Certified Peer Specialists work from the perspective of their lived experience to help build environments conducive to recovery. They promote hope, personal responsibility, empowerment, education, and self-determination in the communities where they serve.  CPSs are trained to assist others in skill-building, problem-solving, setting up and maintaining self-help mutual support groups, and building self-directed recovery tools. A critical role of the CPS is supporting others in developing their recovery goals, and specific steps to reach those goals. 

A more specific job description and qualifications for a Georgia Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) can be found at the following link.

https://www.gmhcn.org/cps-job-description

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a High School Diploma or GED; Certification as a Certified Peer Specialist; or Qualifications to become a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) in the state of Georgia