* The Forensic Peer Support Specialist may be eligible for up to a $1000 new hire incentive bonus if hired and meet all qualifications.*
The role of the Forensic Peer Support Specialist – Forensic Services Support Program is to provide re-entry peer support as part of a multidisciplinary team within Westmoreland County Prison, to individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse history. Service provision will focus on working with clients to enhance their recovery through gaining skills, accessing resources, and developing natural support and independence as they transition back into the community. The Peer Support Specialist will serve as a mentor and advocate to individuals in or seeking out recovery. Glade Run recognizes that pairing lived experiences of people in recovery plays a significant role as the individual moves through the criminal justice system and returns to the community is critical.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. High school diploma or GED certificate.
2. Peer Support Specialist certification (Certified Recovery Specialist, Certified Peer Specialist, or Certified Family Recovery Support Specialist)
3. Past or present consumer of mental health or substance abuse services with a history of managing one's illness.
4. Minimum of one year experience working in the community-based settings preferred.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
2. Must have a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and access to a reliable automobile
3. Ability to adapt hours to needs of position
4. Access to a telephone
5. Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with agency personnel and community stakeholders
6. Must be comfortable working in a correctional facility environment
7. Must have emotional stability to perform essential job functions
8. Must be able to work quickly and effectively
9. Must be able to be able to work in a flexible environment
10. Must participate in regularly scheduled supervision and team meetings
11. Must be able to exemplify professional boundaries at all times
12. Ability to remain organized despite pressured situations.
13. Must have acceptable PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Clearance
14. Must be able to identify with the agency’s Mission Statement and support the agency’s Core Values.
KNOWLEDGE AREAS:
- Familiarity with the operations of the criminal justice system
- Accessing and referring to community resources
- Mental health diagnosis and issues
- Drug and alcohol issues
- Child protective services law
- Public welfare system
- Multicultural Competency
- Crisis response and support
- Confidentiality
- Professional boundaries
ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS:
Training: Forensic Peer Support Specialists are required to complete designated training related to their job performance annually as well as required training by the County Prison.
Medical/Physical: Forensic Peer Support Services are required to obtain a post-offer drug screening.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
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Establish rapport with the client to provide orientation in regards to how services are delivered including frequency of services.
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Provide direct peer recommendations based on own lived experience.
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Develop an Individualized Recovery plan for the client to identify appropriate resources and supports. Review the Individualized Plan with clients on a weekly basis to ensure they are receiving the necessary support to aid in their recovery.
- Complete all required documentation and assessments in an accurate and timely manner.
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Coach and support the individual to expand their comfort levels in other settings to assist them with connecting to other formal and informal community supports.
- Work cooperatively as part of a team to provide individuals with the best treatment possible including collaborating closely with the County Forensic Services Manager, the criminal justice system, and the county jail staff in the County Prison, treatment members of the FSSP, and other community resources.
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Provide reports/testimony regarding progress, support and encourage individuals in adhering to any court sanctioned follow up/through, and assist individuals with advocating for themselves as well as providing advocacy as needed.
Observe all rules of confidentiality relating to clinical information and treatment both internally and while working with external agencies and individuals.
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Job Location:
Westmoreland County, PA (Westmoreland County Prison)
Position Type:
Full-Time/Regular
Who We Are: Founded in 1854 by the Rev. Dr. William Passavant in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, Glade Run has evolved over the last 170 years to meet the changing and increasingly challenging needs of children, adults and families throughout Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Last year, Glade Run served over 7,000 individuals with impactful, innovative services in school, home, and community based settings.
Glade Run uses the Sanctuary® Model as our blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community while applying the following Sanctuary commitments within all aspects of our programming: Nonviolence, Emotional Intelligence, Social Learning, Democracy, Open Communication, Social Responsibility, and Growth and Change. Our recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for Glade Run’s culture as we focus not only on the individuals in which we serve, but equally on our staff and the systems who provide their treatment. Glade Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
What We Offer – Community Mental Health Programs
(Must meet eligibility requirements- see policies/plan documents for complete requirements and eligibility)
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and paid holidays for full-time staff
401K offerings with agency match at $1.00 per dollar contributed up to 4% of salary
Agency provided life insurance and long-term disability coverage for full-time staff
Voluntary benefit options; including Disability Insurance (Short-Term Disability), Cancer Coverage, Critical Illness, Medical Bridge, Accident Insurance, Life Insurance and Identify Theft Protection
Paid mileage reimbursement
Paid training and administrative time
Cell phone reimbursement
Licensure Supervision for FREE!
Free credentialing assistance
Quarterly productivity incentives
Tuition reimbursement for full-time staff
Flexible work schedules (as applicable)
Annual merit increases for eligible positions based upon the yearly budget
New Hire Incentive Bonuses
Employee Referral Bonus Incentives
Employee Discount Program
Approved Agency for Public Student Loan Forgiveness
Employee Assistance Program
Partnership with Geneva College offering a 25% tuition discount on select degree programs
Partnership with Capella University offering scholarships, tuition discounts, and free professional
development opportunities
Opportunities for membership to civic/community organizations
As of August 31, 2024, a CARF Three-Year Accreditation has been awarded to Glade Run Lutheran Services for the following (programs/services): Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Adults, Children and Adolescents), Intensive Family-Based Services: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults, Children and Adolescents), Outpatient Treatment: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults), Partial Hospitalization: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)
Glade Run is Sanctuary certified – we provide a supportive, respectful environment for our clients and our staff where shared governance, open communication, social learning and responsibility, non-violence, emotional intelligence, and growth and change are paramount in all aspects of our programming.
