Peer Specialist (Restoration Center)

Overview

The Restoration Center Certified Peer Specialist supports individuals in the Restoration Center (RC), promoting their engagement in services, instilling hope, and helping them explore their options and gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed for their recovery and ability to live in their community of choice. Provides peer support services, both one-on-one and in groups. Staffs the Living Room, a low barrier space where persons served can take a shower, do their laundry, utilize the computer lab, decompress, and meet with staff. May also provide peer support in RC Triage and Respite program.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities:• Supports person-centered planning and implementation of interventions outlined in individuals’ Restoration Center Support Plan.• Works to foster an environment within the RC that is welcoming and supportive. Enhances accessibility of the RC to individuals in the community.• Provides support, education and advocacy to persons served, especially at times of service and life transitions such as being discharged from a hospital, detoxification unit or respite setting, moving to their own apartment, or when facing life stage challenges. • Shares personal experiences; engages persons served in equal, supportive relationships that promote empowerment, recovery, and wellness. • Helps persons served connect to community services and recovery networks – both in-person and virtual. Provides information and bridging to community-based opportunities, social supports, and community resources both within and outside the mental health and substance use service systems.• Facilitates peer support groups, providing access to recovery tools and resources for persons served. • Provides information and training on recovery and self-management plans and strategies – including supporting completion of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) individually or in a group.• Promotes initial and sustained engagement of persons served, regularly and skillfully attempts to engage individuals who struggle with initial or sustained engagement in Restoration Center services.• Promotes healthcare and employment services access for persons served.• Helps maximize choices available to person served as well as their self-determination, participation, and decision-making in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their treatment, care coordination, and support services.• Assists person served in developing and strengthening their support networks. • Helps person served develop self-advocacy skills.• Provides ongoing problem solving, skill training, and side-by-side support to help persons served improve their daily living skills and abilities. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies for persons served.• Teaches and consults with Restoration Center staff to improve their understanding of the perspectives, needs, and experiences of persons served and to use processes and strategies conducive to recovery.• Provides temporary assistance with transportation to essential medical and behavioral health appointments while transitioning to community-based transportation resources (e.g., public transportation resources, PT-1, etc.).• Uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, motivational interviewing, harm- reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches to help person served articulate and realize their goals.• Facilitates Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups.• Receive role-specific, on-the-job supervision, feedback, coaching and consultation from Manager of Peer Services regularly.• Completes necessary documentation in accordance with Certified Peer Specialist training standards.• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:• Willing to use and share his/her personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for PS to have a full and satisfying life in the community. • Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice. • Knowledge of Peer Support and other applicable Codes of Ethics standards and practices. • Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, principles and modalities. • Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with persons served. • Commitment to maintain confidentiality of persons served. • Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques. • Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender differences of persons served. • Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques. • Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of persons served. • Knowledge of community and other resources. • Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team. • Ability to promote psychiatric advance directives and relapse prevention techniques. • Ability to balance competing priorities. • Ability to make independent judgments and decisions. • Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment

About Vinfen

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 www.vinfen.org/careers.

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

Typical Requirements:• Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, involvement with mental health services must be related to experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption. • Certified Peer Specialist credential strongly preferred. Must become a Certified Peer Specialist within one year of hire.• Bilingual/bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred /Required Education:A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements:Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. 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.

Physical Effort:Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.

Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.

Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Required Certifications/Trainings:CPR within 2 weeks of hireFirst Aid within 2 weeks of hireCertified Peer Specialist Credential within one year of hire

Pay Range

USD $31,672.50 - USD $31,672.50 /Yr.