Peer Specialist (Behavioral Health)

Vinfen • Lowell, MA

4d • $24 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist is a person who is currently in recovery from and has lived experience with mental health disorders or co-occurring disorders and is able to provide support and act as a mentor to clients to make positive life changes to support the client’s own recovery journey. The Peer Specialist assists the client in developing recovery strategies, connecting to community-based and mental health recovery-oriented resources. The role supports the outpatient clinical and care coordination teams, participates in treatment planning and recommends strategies to better engage clients in care.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of substance use, co-occurring and addiction treatment principles and techniques
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, and strengths-based values and modalities
• Knowledge of evidenced-based practices for co-occurring disorder services, including motivational interviewing, motivational counseling, stage of change and harm reduction techniques as related to substance addiction services
• Knowledge of available community, hospital-based, residential, day, and self-help services for co-occurring disorder treatment and support
• Knowledge of health risks prevalent with adults with SMI/SUD
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally responsive services
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Ability to triage/balance competing priorities
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Lived experience with addiction and/or co-occurring mental health disorders with at least 3 years in recovery; training or has demonstrated experience in working with peers to help then explore recovery, gain hope, and achieve life goals.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required
• If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
• CPR within two weeks of hire
• First Aid withing two weeks of hire

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in human service-related discipline preferred.
• In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• Certified Peer preferred

Responsibilities

• Outreaches to and supports the client to make positive life changes and developing skills to achieve and maintain recovery. Serves as a model and provides peer counseling to develop pro-social behavior and self-advocacy skills; assists in developing skills needed to repair and maintain healthy relationships.
• Works with treatment team to assess readiness for change and develop strategies to engage the client in the treatment process. Communicates progress toward goals to other members of the treatment team.
• Assists client in navigating health care, mental health and SUD treatment, and social support systems.
• Provides education regarding mental illness, addiction, and recovery, assist client in determining which level of care would best meet their needs.
• Functions as an advocate and liaison in preparing and accompanying the client to meetings with, for example, probation officers, social workers, PCP’s, DCF or other state or local agencies.
• Provides temporary assistance with transportation to referrals regarding connections to any community, self-help or social services that align with the client’s needs and goals.
• Contributes expertise to treatment teams as related to mental health and SUD education, motivational enhancement, appropriate stage of change interventions, and application of evidenced-based mental health and substance addiction treatment.
• Implements recovery-oriented, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent and strengths-based rehabilitation approaches.
• Assists the client in any care transitions through collaboration with the community provider staff and hospital staff to ensure a safe discharge plan and a well-coordinated implementation of that plan.
• Monitors and report on progress in client's electronic health record.
• Performs other duties, as required.

Benefits

• Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED