Certified Peer Recovery Worker

Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.; Bridgeport, Northern (CT, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Meaningful role in recovery services

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is seeking a Certified Peer Recovery Worker to support adults on their recovery journey. This position emphasizes lived experience, compassion, and engagement to motivate clients toward individualized goals.

Responsibilities include guiding recovery planning, assisting with employment, education and community involvement, and coordinating with a collaborative team. CPSRP credential is required; bilingual abilities and travel may be needed.

Qualifications

• Six (6) months of experience in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.
• Six (6) months of experience as a Certified Peer Recovery Worker Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

Responsibilities

• Guides clients through defining personal recovery goals using evidence-based workbooks or planning tools.
• Supports tasks in recovery plans, including employment, education and community involvement.
• Identifies and helps clients exercise their rights and participates in recovery-oriented interventions.
• Provides information and supports development of community networks and wellness activities.
• Coaches adaptive client behaviors and may provide outreach and transportation as needed.
• Observes client behavior and updates notes in the medical record.

Job description

• Company: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)

Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from mental health or substance use challenges?

Have you gained expertise in engaging individuals with compassion and empathy?

If so, we invite you to apply and join our dedicated team!

Please note: the ideal candidate for this position will have personally lived experience in recovery and possess the Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) credential. Visit our CPSRP Credential page to learn more.

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System ( SWCMHS )
• SCHEDULE:Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

OUR MISSION:

DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

PLEASE NOTE:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace .

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for their recovery plan using existing evidence-based workbooks or person-centered planning tools;
• Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (i.e., pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports);
• Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights;
• Participates in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals;
• Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration;
• Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families;
• Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have, or are at risk for, co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities;
• Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness;
• Supports clients in obtaining services that meet their recovery needs;
• Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress;
• Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity;
• Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities;
• Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level;
• Observes and reports clients’ behavior;
• Prepares and submits incident or other related forms;
• Updates clients’ notes in the medical record as required;
• Enters computerized data as required;
• May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication;
• May provide outreach and transportation;
• community support systems and resources;
• person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques;
• the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation;
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • observe and redirect client behavior;
  • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/orsubstance use recovery field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

Six (6) months of experience as a Certified Peer Recovery Worker Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in the community to assist mental health substance abuse clients
• Experience facilitating peer-led groups
• Experience providing trauma informed, community-based peer recovery support to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness
• Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional with firsthand, personally lived/living experience of recovery

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain the Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) credential administered by the Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. (CCB).
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.