Peer Specialist (Behavioral Health)

Vinfen; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 27,174 - 38,702; Full time

Job summary

Vinfen is seeking a Peer Specialist in Lowell, MA to utilize lived experience in recovery to support clients with mental health disorders. The role involves assisting clients in developing recovery strategies, enhancing their coping skills, and navigating healthcare systems.

Qualified candidates must have at least 3 years of recovery experience and preferably a relevant educational background. The position emphasizes client advocacy, community resource connections, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• 3+ years lived experience in recovery from addiction or co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to assist clients in navigating support systems.
• Knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment modalities.

Responsibilities

• Support clients in achieving recovery goals and making positive life changes.
• Assist in developing recovery strategies and support systems.
• Provide education regarding mental illness and recovery.

Skills

Peer counseling and support

Communication skills

Knowledge of recovery principles

Cultural competence

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree in human services preferred

Job description

Overview

The Peer Specialist is a person who is currently in recovery from and has lived experience with mental health disorders or co‑occurring disorders and is able to provide support and act as a mentor to clients to make positive life changes to support the client’s own recovery journey. The Peer Specialist assists the client in developing recovery strategies, connecting to community‑based and mental health recovery‑oriented resources. The role supports the outpatient clinical and care coordination teams, participates in treatment planning and recommends strategies to better engage clients in care.

Responsibilities

• Outreaches to and supports the client to make positive life changes and develop skills to achieve and maintain recovery. Serves as a model and provides peer counseling to develop pro‑social behavior and self‑advocacy skills; assists in developing skills needed to repair and maintain healthy relationships.
• Works with treatment team to assess readiness for change and develop strategies to engage the client in the treatment process. Communicates progress toward goals to other members of the treatment team.
• Assists client in navigating health care, mental health and SUD treatment, and social support systems.
• Provides education regarding mental illness, addiction, and recovery, assist client in determining which level of care would best meet their needs.
• Functions as an advocate and liaison in preparing and accompanying the client to meetings with, for example, probation officers, social workers, PCP’s, DCF or other state or local agencies.
• Provides temporary assistance with transportation to referrals regarding connections to any community, self‑help or social services that align with the client’s needs and goals.
• Contributes expertise to treatment teams as related to mental health and SUD education, motivational enhancement, appropriate stage of change interventions, and application of evidence‑based mental health and substance addiction treatment.
• Implements recovery‑oriented, motivational interviewing, harm‑reduction, trauma‑informed, culturally competent and strengths‑based rehabilitation approaches.
• Assists the client in any care transitions through collaboration with the community provider staff and hospital staff to ensure a safe discharge plan and a well‑coordinated implementation of that plan.
• Monitors and reports on progress in the client’s electronic health record.
• Performs other duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Commitment 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.
• Extensive knowledge of substance use, co‑occurring and addiction treatment principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of recovery‑oriented, person‑centered, and strengths‑based values and modalities.
• Knowledge of evidence‑based practices for co‑occurring disorder services, including motivational interviewing, motivational counseling, stage of change and harm reduction techniques as related to substance addiction services.
• Knowledge of available community, hospital‑based, residential, day, and self‑help services for co‑occurring disorder treatment and support.
• Knowledge of health risks prevalent with adults with SMI/SUD.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed and culturally responsive services.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues.
• Knowledge of empowerment and self‑advocacy techniques.
• Ability to triage/balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

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.

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

• Lived experience with addiction and/or co‑occurring mental health disorders with at least 3 years in recovery; training or has demonstrated experience in working with peers to help them explore recovery, gain hope, and achieve life goals.
• Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree in human service‑related discipline preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• Driving Requirements: 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 remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
  • Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.
  • 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:
  • CPR within two weeks of hire.
  • First Aid within two weeks of hire.
  • Certified Peer preferred.

Pay Range

USD $23.91 - USD $23.91 /Hr.