Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

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.

Keywords: Peer, CPS, Outpatient, lived experience. VinfenBHD

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• 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.

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

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.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's degree in human service-related discipline preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

• 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.

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credentials preferred but not required

• Must be able to become CPR and First Aid certified within two weeks of hire. Vinfen offers training upon hire

• 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 6 months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

• Must be able to successfully pass a CORI, SORI, reference, and employment verification check

Pay Range

USD $23.91 - USD $23.91 /Hr.