Peer Specialist

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities

• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays 

• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability

• Employer-matched retirement saving funds 

• Personal and financial wellness programs  

• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care  and commuter transit program

• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees 

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement  

• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities   

• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals 

What You Will Do

• Conducts phone and field outreach to locate and enroll clients/consumers/members into programs services

• Builds relationship and trust with clients and their family/caregiver and assists with their interactions with professionals on the team 

• Works collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team to discuss care needs and identify solutions to support clients/consumers/members 

• Applies mutually shared and lived experiences to build relationships and trust with the client/consumers/members

• Educates clients/consumers/members about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques. Serves as a role model, advocate and mentor. Escorts clients/consumers/members to appointments as needed 

• Advocates effective recovery-based services on behalf of clients/consumers/members. Assists in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals 

• Teaches and models symptom management and coping skills for resilience. Empowers clients to take a proactive role in their recovery process

• Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoing education, guidance, support and encouragement 

• Develops inventory of resources that will meet the client's needs as identified in the assessment and or-treatment process

• Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect with community-based services and supports 

• Documents in EMR in accordance with program policies/procedures, VNS Health standards, and city, state and federal regulatory requirements 

• Assists clients/consumers/members with transition to alternate housing, when appropriate 

• Participates in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision and training programs

• Develops a mutual self-disclosure between themselves and clients/consumers/members. Serves as a bridge between team members and participant

• For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinical (CCBHC): 

• Educates clients about the different types of treatment available, including medications for addiction treatment 

• Helps clients identify their strengths as well as obstacles to their recovery 

• Assists clients with applying for benefits 

• Provides resources for external and post-discharge services

• Participates as part of interdisciplinary team in discussion of, planning for and actively participating in treatment goals for clients/consumers/members 

• Practice regularly in the community, including traveling to patients’ homes, or schools, to engage frequently with clients. Navigate emergency situations 

• High school diploma or equivalent required 

• Minimum of one year experience in a mental health, substance use treatment program, health care or human services setting, preferred

• Experience working with a severely mentally ill, psychological trauma, and/or substance using population, preferred

• Effective oral/written/interpersonal communication and relationship building skills required

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team

• Computer literacy (electronic health records, word processing, e-mail, internet research, data entry), required

• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, preferred