Certified Peer Specialist

CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES INC•New Bedford, MA

3d•$21 - $24•Hybrid

About The Position

The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) provides non-clinical, recovery-oriented peer support to Members receiving behavioral health services. Drawing appropriately on lived experience with behavioral health recovery, the CPS builds mutually supportive relationships, promotes hope, supports self-determination, and helps clients identify and pursue personal wellness and recovery goals. The CPS serves as a mentor, coach, advocate, and wellness liaison while honoring the client’s voice, choice, culture, identity, and chosen pathway of recovery.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Certified Peer Specialist credential or active progress toward credentialing as a Certified Peer Specialist, consistent with Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Department of Mental Health requirements.
CPSs are individuals currently in sustained mental health recovery for at least 1 year or who have lived experience with behavioral health disorders and have been certified to help their peers with a similar experience.
CPSs may, in addition to having a history of mental health disorder, have a co-occurring substance use disorder.
CPSs have a willingness to share that experience appropriately in the context of peer support and have the ability to safely and effectively provide recovery-oriented peer support to clients with behavioral health needs.
Ability to work in community-based settings and collaborate with clients, families, providers, care managers, and community partners.
Cultural Competency Qualifications: Awareness of personal attitudes, beliefs, biases, and assumptions about others
Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, and ethnicity
Acknowledging that people from other cultural groups may not share the same beliefs and practices or perceive experiences in the same way
Cultural knowledge of key populations that will be served to address disparities in service delivery
Demonstrates positive attitudes towards cultural differences by showing respect and openness towards people whose social and cultural background is different from one's own
Demonstrates skills for communication and interaction across cultures, including the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviors, moods, and impulses to create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming climate within the agency
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation that meets CFS Driver Policy.
Travel is required to provide services in different settings and to attend agency meetings, events, and trainings

Responsibilities

Provide a safe, welcoming, and clean environment for our clients and families
Provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care based on the unique needs of clients
Participate in our Triage, Screening & Intake process with clients to ensure fidelity of same day access to services, including the completion of necessary documentation
Assist clients and families with exploring and identifying areas of need, including housing, insurance, food assistance, educational, career, and other case management related needs
Establish trusting, strength-based relationships with clients and support them as equals in their wellness and recovery journey.
Use lived experience and appropriate self-disclosure in a safe, ethical, and purposeful manner to inspire hope and model recovery.
Assist with the facilitation of our CBHC’s family and peer support services by sharing lived experience, strengths, and hope through individual, family, or group services as appropriate
Provide clients and families with advocacy, coaching, training, support, and psychoeducation
Complete internal and external referrals with clients based on their individualized needs, including links to peer/parent support and self-help groups, community resources, and pro-social activities
Support clients in identifying goals, developing or updating wellness plans when appropriate, and building skills to sustain recovery
Assist our clients and families with navigating systems within schools & community as appropriate
Support transitions of care and engage in effective coordination of care across health and behavioral health services to facilitate wellness and recovery of the whole person, including outreach and engagement, and after-care planning
Utilize evidence-based interventions, including motivational interviewing skills to empower clients and develop person-centered service plans as appropriate
Provide crisis intervention and coordinate with Emergency Services as appropriate
Serve as a community educator by providing psychoeducation to relevant community providers
Deliver services in community-based, outpatient, home, workplace, crisis, diversionary, or remote settings when safe and appropriate.
Provide temporary transportation support when available through the organization and when used to support essential peer, medical, behavioral health, or community-based appointments
Maintain record-keeping as required by CFS, funding sources, and accreditation authorities
Participate in all supervision and training activities as required by CFS, funding sources, and accreditation authorities
Keep Evolv and Outlook Calendars up to date to support implementation of Centralized Scheduling

Benefits

Medical – Harvard Pilgrim/HealthPlans Inc.
Dental – Delta Dental of MA
Vision - EyeMed
Wellworks for You (Employee Wellness)
2 weeks’ vacation accrued over 1st year, 3 weeks after 3 years, 4 weeks after 5 years and 5 weeks after 20 years
12 Sick Days
10 Paid Holidays
2 Personal Days per year
Tuition reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per calendar year
Professional Licensure reimbursement (LICSW, LMHC)
Flexible spending accounts – save on medical expenses and dependent care!
401K – CFS matches first 1% at 100%; 2%-6% of annual earnings are matched at 50%
100% Employer paid Life Insurance
100% Employer paid Long Term Disability and AD&D
24-hour travel assistance
mileage reimbursement
discounted Healthtrax gym membership
employee appreciation events!