Peer Support Specialist - Recovery Coach-

Catholic Charities; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Peer Support Specialist to empower individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. In this vital role, you will provide compassionate support and advocacy, helping clients navigate their recovery journeys. Collaborating with an integrated care team, you will facilitate peer recovery groups and connect clients to essential resources, ensuring they feel understood and supported. This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Join a dedicated team committed to fostering recovery and wellness in the community.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• Certification as a peer recovery specialist is required.
• Must have at least one year of recovery from mental health/substance abuse.

Responsibilities

• Support clients with mental health and substance abuse recovery.
• Facilitate peer recovery groups and connect clients with community services.

Skills

Empathic communication

Advocacy services

Cultural competency

Team collaboration

Initiative and independence

Education

Certification as a peer recovery specialist

Recovery from mental health/substance abuse

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Electronic Clinical Record

Job description

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST I

Institute for the Hispanic Family

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Recovery Support Worker supports integrated health and behavioral health care management for clients involved in a large, cutting-edge integrated behavioral health and primary care initiative at Catholic Charities’ Institute for the Hispanic Family in Hartford, CT. Helps consumers with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders recognize that they are not alone and can recover from substance abuse and co-occurring illness.

Works with CCBHC integrated care team to ensure that the client’s behavioral health and addictions treatment, primary/specialty health and social service needs are met through integrated care. Facilitates warm handoffs of clients to detoxification and inpatient substance abuse/co-occurring treatment programs and their return to CCBHC outpatient care. Facilitates peer recovery groups at the agency and in the community. Connects clients with other appropriate peer support and community-based services, as needed. Teams with other staff in co-facilitating psycho-social rehabilitation groups addressing social skills, vocational skills, health, and wellness. Administers national evaluation tools as necessary.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Helps consumers with mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders recognize that they are not alone and can recover from substance abuse and co-occurring illness. Nurtures client readiness for recovery from co-occurring disorders.
• Serves as a resource to clients seeking information. Offers relevant information and materials to consumers as appropriate. Maintains an active interest in helping clients.
• Provides advocacy services on behalf of clients when appropriate.
• Works with CCBHC integrated care team to ensure that the client’s behavioral health and addictions treatment, primary/specialty health, and social service needs are met through integrated care.
• Facilitates warm handoffs to clients to detoxification and inpatient substance abuse/co-occurring treatment programs and their return to CCBHC outpatient care.
• Conducts outreach visits to clients' homes, hospitals/inpatient facilities, and community sites to engage clients and provide services. Attempts to follow up with clients within 24 hours of hospital/inpatient discharge to reengage them in aftercare services.
• Facilitates peer recovery groups at the agency and in the community. Connects clients with other appropriate peer supports and community-based services, as needed. Attends community meetings with clients, role-playing the first meeting, having a debriefing meeting, etc.
• Provides client transportation as necessary.
• Teams with other staff in co-facilitating psycho-social rehabilitation groups addressing social skills, vocational skills, health, and wellness. Administers national evaluation tools as necessary.
• Demonstrates respect and nonjudgmental attitudes in all contacts with clients, community professionals, and agencies. Embraces and integrates co-occurring philosophy into work with clients.
• As clients are being discharged from care, makes assertive linkages to groups and programs specific to the client.
• Provides empathic communication and maintains appropriate boundaries; respects the personal and cultural identity of clients.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize signs and symptoms that indicate a client may need additional clinical support and connects clients to appropriate resources.
• Reports and removes oneself from any real or perceived conflict of interest.
• Participates in performance and quality improvement activities as dictated by supervisor.
• Participates in ongoing agency supervision, staff meetings, and appropriate training.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification as a peer recovery specialist.
• Recovery from mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis for a minimum period of one year.
• Actively participate in a leadership role in recovery activities.
• Willingness to establish supportive and respectful rapport with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including but not limited to clientele, clinical staff, administrative staff, and team members.
• Willingness and ability to work supportively and effectively within a team setting.
• Initiative to proceed without direct supervision and utilize training effectively.
• Maturity and dependability.
• Ability to follow organizational guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to uphold complete consumer confidentiality.
• Ability to provide empathic communication and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Proficient in Microsoft environment, notably Word, Excel, and Outlook; ability to document services in an Electronic Clinical Record.
• Written and oral fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Catholic Charities offers access to a comprehensive array of benefits, including:
For Good Health: Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision insurance
For a Secure Future: Life, AD&D, and Long-term disability insurance
For Retirement: 403(b) Plan, with employer matching contributions for eligible employees
For Career Advancement: Training and development opportunities and for Licensed Clinicians ability to apply for the education Loan Forgiveness Program under The National Services Health Corp.
For Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off; including vacation and sick time.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free and confidential counseling.

Catholic Charities Inc., Archdiocese of Hartford is in compliance with all applicable discrimination laws. All hiring, promoting, and transferring is done on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to membership in any protected class. EEO/AA/M-F/VET/DISABLED.