Peer Specialist (Mental Health Services)

Vinfen • Plymouth, MA

1d

About The Position

The ACCS Peer Specialist promotes engagement, hope, and the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) so they can live successfully in the community. The role provides peer support and helps PS explore options and build the confidence, skills, and resources needed to pursue their goals. The Peer Specialist draws on personal experience with recovery and wellness while supporting self-determination, community participation, and recovery-oriented planning.

The position works directly with PS in community settings, including GLE and SIE settings, and collaborates with ACCS staff and community resources. It uses person-centered, strengths-based, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, WRAP, trauma-informed, and culturally competent approaches. Any documentation must comply with Certified Peer Specialist training standards and applicable ethical standards. Peer Specialists may not perform duties related to medication administration under MAP or a PS Representative Payee ship.

Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977. It provides community-based services in Massachusetts and Connecticut and has 3,500 employees working across more than 550 sites. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. A Certified Peer Specialist credential is required within 12 months of hire. CPR and First Aid are required within two weeks of hire. Driving is required, and the employee must meet the stated license, insurance, age, and driving-screening requirements. The pay range is $23.91 per hour.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certified Peer Specialist credential required within 12 months of hire.
• CPR certification required within the first two weeks of hire.
• First Aid certification required within two weeks of hire.
• Valid driver's license must be presented at employment; must be at least 21 years old, have held a valid U.S. driver's license for at least six months, and pass a driver's screening background check.
• If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
• Willingness to use and share personal, practical recovery and wellness-management experience.
• Commitment to the rights and abilities of Persons Served to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive support in their community of choice.
• Knowledge of Peer Support practices, applicable Codes of Ethics, person-centered and strengths-based recovery values, and engagement and participatory planning techniques.
• Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships and maintain confidentiality.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender differences.
• Knowledge of advocacy techniques, the legal, civil, and human rights of Persons Served, and community resources.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to assist Persons Served with activities of daily living.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways; lift at least 25 pounds using proper techniques or a two-person lift; sit, reach, operate a computer and office equipment, and communicate with Persons Served, staff, and external representatives.
• Ability to remain stationary 50% of the time as needed.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree; in some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Responsibilities

• Implement Peer Support-oriented Treatment Plan interventions with Persons Served.
• Share personal experiences and provide support, education, and advocacy, particularly during service and life transitions.
• Build supportive, non-directive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning.
• Help Persons Served connect with community services, recovery resources, mutual-help groups, and support networks, including resources for co-occurring disorders.
• Facilitate Peer Support groups and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups, and support individual completion of WRAP plans.
• Provide information and training on recovery, self-management plans, and strategies.
• Promote initial and sustained engagement, maintaining close contact with Persons Served who have difficulty engaging in ACCS.
• Promote access to healthcare and employment services, safe housing, community tenure, self-sufficiency, and successful completion of services.
• Support choice, self-determination, and participation in treatment, care coordination, and support-service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
• Help Persons Served strengthen relationships with chosen family and friends and develop self-advocacy skills.
• Provide ongoing problem-solving, skill training, and side-by-side support to improve daily living skills; model coping and self-help strategies.
• Teach and consult with ACCS staff about recovery values, person-centered language, the perspectives of Persons Served, and recovery-supportive practices.
• Visit all GLE and SIE settings regularly to provide Peer Support.
• Participate in the Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup for ongoing role development and learning.
• Complete documentation in accordance with Certified Peer Specialist training standards and applicable ethical standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan with no employee contribution required.
• Employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for qualifying employees.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts for health and dependent care.
• Voluntary term life, whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid time off for employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

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