Respite Certified Peer Specialist

Vinfen; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 52,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Respite Certified Peer Specialist to foster community integration for individuals facing mental health challenges. This role involves providing peer support services, facilitating empowerment, and assisting individuals in navigating recovery resources. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in human services and personal recovery experience, making a meaningful impact in the lives of those served. Join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the well-being and self-sufficiency of individuals in the community, while enjoying comprehensive benefits and career growth opportunities.

Benefits

Employer-sponsored retirement plan

Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision plans

Employer-paid Life Insurance

Generous Vacation and Sick Time Benefits

Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts

Educational Assistance and Remission Programs

$500 Employee Referral Bonus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human services or equivalent experience required.
• Experience working with children/adolescents/TAY or adults preferred.

Responsibilities

• Promote engagement and integration of Persons Served in the community.
• Facilitate Peer Support groups and provide recovery tools.

Skills

Peer Support Services

Advocacy

Community Engagement

Self-management strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Associate's degree in human services

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Description Schedule: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Salary: $51,500 / year

The Respite Certified Peer Specialist promotes the engagement, hope and the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Provides Peer Support Services; helps PS explore their options and gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed to succeed in goals.

• Implements peer support outlined in person served's Respite Community Support Plan.
• Meets persons served both on-site at Respite program and out in community as part of the Mobile Respite service.
• Shares personal experience and provides support, education and advocacy to PS, especially at times of service and life transitions; for example: being discharged from a hospital, detoxification unit or respite setting, moving to their own apartment, or when facing life stage challenges -- particularly for young adults and elders.
• Engages PS in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning.
• Assists PS in linking to other community services and Recovery networks -- both actual and electronic.
• Facilitates Peer Support groups. Provides access to recovery tools and resources for PS. Connects PS with both psychiatric conditions and substance misuse/addiction to Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) Groups.
• Provides information and training on recovery and self-management plans and strategies -- including facilitating the PSs completion of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) individually or in a group.
• Promotes initial and sustained engagement of PS. Maintains close contact with PS who struggle with initial or sustained engagement in Respite services.
• Promotes healthcare and employment services access for PS.
• Promotes engagement, safe housing, community tenure, achievement of greater self-sufficiency and successful completion of service for all PS.
• Helps maximize choices available to PS as well as their self-determination and participation and decision-making in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their treatment, care coordination, and support services.
• Assists PS in strengthening relationships with family and friends. Provides direct support to families.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
• Important job exceptions: All Peer Specialists may not be involved with or trained in Medication Administration Program (MAP); perform any duties related to a PS Representative Payeeship, and any documentation performed must be in accordance with Certified Peer Specialist and other applicable Codes of Ethics standards.

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

Our comprehensive and generous benefits package includes:

• A fully funded, employer-sponsored retirement plan that requires no employee contribution as well as an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision plans.
• Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Generous Vacation, Holiday, Personal and Sick Time Benefits.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care).
• Educational Assistance and Remission Programs.
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
• Other generous benefits and perks!

About Us

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, habitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.

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: Bachelor's degree in human services field from an accredited school & one year experience working with children/adolescents/TAY (or adult); or an associate's degree in human service field from an accredited school & one year experience working with children/adolescents/TAY (or adult); or high school diploma/GED & two years' experience working with children/adolescents/TAY (or adult).

• Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions preferred; must be well along in own personal recovery (self-knowledge and habits needed to support one's own health).
• Lived experience with drug or alcohol misuse/addiction accepted, if applicant has received Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery Coach Academy or equivalent training; must be well along in own personal recovery (self-knowledge and habits needed to support one's own health).
• Experience in navigating any of the child (or adult) family-serving systems and teaching family members who are involved with child (or adult) family-serving systems.
• Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport PS preferred. Travel to PS homes, group living environments, supported independent environments and community locations required.