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PRS-Specialist
I work at the medical respite care shelter for the homeless for men. I am a peer recovery support specialist. I am actually trained to work with women with mental health and trauma-related informed, plus I lived with the experience. I am struggling at my job that they wanted me to do case-management position. I have been helping male clients to get into affordable housing. I remember that I am a state-certified peer specialist. There are times, I could not help a very difficult clients that is "outside of my level" of practice.
I tried to explain to my supervisors what I am trained to do. When I received the poor evaluation. I felt like I am not so valued at the job. Sometimes I feel hopeless. I have talk to my employment specialist and my mentors to see what are the options that I may have.
Melinda Davis
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04/02/20 at 11:07PM UTC
I do have a B.A. degree in Fine Arts. I am state certified. I came from the empowerment background. I used to served as a board member of my local NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). When it comes to working in the integrated job setting. I am less valued their. I am being the best worker there. Working at shelters, group homes, and empowerment centers, we are over-worked and pretty much underpaid. Now, I began to see what social workers are going through. Sometimes, they just do not understand my role, and what I can or cannot do. I am practicing ethics and boundaries. That is a must.
Anonymous
04/01/20 at 9:29PM UTC
It sounds like you have already been doing the aspects of case management that are within your scope of knowledge. From my experience and what I’ve seen on employment websites, many case managers have a social work degree. Is that something that your employer would be willing to help you finance (i.e., going to school and getting your MSW), if you don’t already have one?
Honestly speaking, it sounds like you’d much rather be working with women in the areas that you have training and experience... Do it!! Contact mental health agencies to find out if there are hotlines that you can either work at or volunteer for during this time. (When I was going through a very dark time, I was given a list of numbers to call for support. One worker told me that she was a volunteer. No mental health degree or background. Shocking because she was VERY helpful. Clearly they are well trained, plus I think she was a natural.).
Perhaps request a meeting with your supervisors and bring a list of specifics issues that you want to resolve and/or get clarification on (eg., 1) your job duties vs what you’ve asked to do or 2) your actual qualifications vs what qualifications are necessary to do the job). They might not like what you have to say, but if you’re stating that you want to be an effective advocate for your clients, at least you’ve made it clear why you’re saying it.
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