Peer Support Specialist

North Suffolk Mental Health Association; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health support organization is seeking a Peer Specialist to join their Emergency Respite team. This role involves utilizing personal recovery experiences to support others facing mental health challenges. Responsibilities include providing compassionate support, facilitating skill-building groups, and documenting client progress. The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma/GED and lived experience, with a preference for a Bachelor's Degree. Competitive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans are offered.

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Health & Dental Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Comprehensive Training Program

Qualifications

• Must identify as having Lived Experience related to mental health or substance use.
• CPR/first aid certification required within three months of hire.
• Must obtain relevant certifications within the first six months.

Responsibilities

• Share personal recovery experiences to build trust with clients.
• Provide support during life transitions, including hospital visits.
• Facilitate skill-building and supportive group activities.
• Document each client's progress accurately.

Skills

Active listening

Compassionate communication

Self-advocacy

Group facilitation

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

North Suffolk is looking for a Peer Specialist to join our Emergency Respite team! This position is designated for a person who identifies as having lived experience and is willing to share that experience for the benefit of the people they support. The Peer Specialist engages in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning. This position provides direct support through the benefit of mutuality to people in the community and residential settings in the areas of community inclusion, relationship building, housing, risk mitigation, transportation, skill-building, money management, medication needs/preferences and other areas based on the person centered treatment plan and in accordance with the Code of Ethics set forth for the Certified Peer Specialists in Massachusetts or the Code of Ethics set forth in the discipline specific training received. Services are provided based on Recovery tenets and are aimed to promote self-determination and the overall health and well-being of persons served.

Salaries start at $47,500 for non-certified applicants and $51,300 for Certified Peers.

What you’ll do:

• Share one’s own personal recovery experiences with purpose and intent to build trust, create mutuality, support self-determination, and to benefit the person served and the person’s stated goals and desires.
• Engage in non-judgmental, compassionate, active listening to build one-on-one connections with persons served that support a person’s preferences and emphasize the Tenets of Recovery.
• Provide support to persons served through Life and Care transitions, including visiting a hospital unit or emergency department or other restrictive setting in order to provide connection and transition planning.
• Provide support through self-disclosure of one’s own experiences and the Tenets of Recovery to develop the skills for self-advocacy and self-determination through mutual relationships.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate skill-building, mutually supportive groups that allow for natural connections among persons served, build capacity and knowledge, and emphasize the importance of quality of life activities and community
• Document each person’s progress in the confidential record according to established methods and procedures and in accordance with the CPS Code of Ethics.

What you’ll need:

• Education:
  • High School Diploma/GED equivalent required.
  • Bachelors Degree highly preferred.
• Experience:
  • Must identify as having Lived Experience of a Mental Health Diagnosis, a Substance Use Addiction, Extreme States, or Trauma that has caused significant life disruption and possess a desire to share those experiences in a purposeful and intentional way to influence the mental health system and provide recovery oriented support.
• Skills/Other:
  • Driver’s license preferred but not required.
  • Must be CPR/first aid certified within three months of hire.
  • Must possess or be willing and eligible to obtain one of the following Certifications within the first six months of employment:
    • Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)
    • Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC)

Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits:

• Paid Time Off – Two weeks’ Vacation per year (three weeks after 2 years of service), 12 Sick Days per year, and 11 Paid Holidays per year
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Health & Dental Insurance, with generous employer contribution
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 403 (b) Retirement Plan with employer matching
• Voluntary Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Access to Credit Union Banking
• Access to State Tuition Remission Program (Worksite Specific)
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Discounted Movie Tickets
• Comprehensive Training Program
• Internal Advancement Opportunities