Certified Peer Recovery Worker (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

JobAps; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a Certified Peer Recovery Worker for the Forensic Services unit at Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System in Bridgeport. This full-time role emphasizes recovery-oriented support and personal lived experience to engage clients.

Candidates must have CPSRP credential and lived recovery experience. The job offers collaboration in a team, opportunities for growth, and a standard Monday–Friday schedule with

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.
• Six months of experience as Certified Peer Recovery Worker Trainee may be substituted for general experience.
• Preferred: CPSRP credential and experience facilitating peer-led groups.
• Experience providing trauma-informed, community-based peer recovery support is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through defining personal recovery goals using evidence-based tools and planning.
• Support clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (employment, education, community involvement, natural supports).
• Attend medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity.
• Update clients' notes in the medical record and enter data as required.
• Organize and conduct workshops on recovery and wellness topics.

Skills

Community support systems

Wellness Recovery Action Planning

Psychiatric rehabilitation

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Observe and redirect client behavior

Computer software

Job description

Introduction

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!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Certified Peer Recovery Worker in the forensic unit. 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)
• LOCATION: 100 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT
• UNITS: Forensic Services
• POSITION NUMBER: 155331
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• 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.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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;
• Enter computerized data as required;
• May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication;
• May provide outreach and transportation;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of community support systems and resources;
• Knowledge of person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques;
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to observe and redirect client behavior;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

• Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance 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.