ACCS Peer Specialist , Part-Time, 20 hrs #338

Aspire Health and Community Services recognizes that attracting and retaining exceptional staff is the key to providing excellent care for our clients. Whether a staff member is providing direct care to those we serve or working on the administrative end supporting the services we are proud to provide, each person’s contribution is highly valued.

Our mission, vision and values are supported by organizational culture guiding the work for every staff member: We are one compassionate, accountable community.

Working at Aspire Health and Community Services can provide enormous job satisfaction. Your contribution is serving to help fulfill a mission, vision and values that support our belief that mental health is the foundation of a person’s overall health and we work to foster an environment that is safe and supportive and free of judgement or prejudice around mental health. In addition, Aspire Health and Community Services offers a competitive package of compensation and benefits.

SCHEDULE: 20 hrs per week. program open 7 days a week. Requires Tuesdays 1-4 for mandatory meeting...  have flexibility in the rest of the schedule ( open to discussion) as long as it adds up to 20 hours)

Great opportunity for a Peer Specialist in our Adult Community Clinical Services! 

The Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) assists hundreds of clients across the South Shore, who are referred by the Department of Mental Health and in need of support with their rehabilitation and recovery. The ACCS team provides multi-disciplinary support for clients managing psychiatric symptoms while living independently in apartments, family homes, shelters, and within one of 14 Aspire Health Alliance staffed residences.   

Responsibilities include carrying out rehabilitation and support functions and assisting in treatment; providing education, support, and consultation to families; and providing crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees. Provide mentor and outreach services to ACCS clients. Provides peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery. 

• Provides expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side-effects of medications, clients’ responses to and opinions of treatment and client’s experiences of recovery.                                                          
• Collaborates with the team to promote a team culture in which each clients’ point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.                                                                                      
• Assists clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self stigma.    
• Assists other team members to identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the team.                                
• Increases awareness of and support client participation in consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.       
• Serves as the liaison between the team and consumer-run programs such as self-help groups and drop-in centers.    
• Organizes and leads individual and group social and recreational activities to help clients structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills. 

Requirements:

• Current or previous experience as a consumer of mental health services required High School Diploma required. Peer Specialist Certification required within 6 months from date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle required.   
• Bilingual skills and/or experience with multicultural populations preferred
• May have related training (e.g., certified occupational therapy assistant, home health care aide) or work experience (e.g.,teaching) and life experience. Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services. Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential. Has experience with recovery from psychiatric disabilities.   

Compensation is based on candidate experience, qualifications, and certifications and licenses.  Annual ranges listed are based on a full-time, 40 hours per week position.

Salary Range$20—$20 USD

Aspire Health and Community Services is committed to and passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We celebrate, support, and promote diversity of thought, culture, and backgrounds.  As an employer committed to equal opportunity, we base all employment decisions on each individual’s capabilities and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetics, or any other protected characteristic.  Aspire Health and Community Services strives to fully reflect the clients and communities we serve and believes that a diversity of interests and cultures leads to a stronger and more innovative organization.