Lead Peer Specialist (Mental Health Services)

Overview

The ACCS Lead Peer Specialist promotes the engagement, hope and the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Welcomes, orients and engages PS into service, collaborates with LPHA to determine needed services. Helps PS explore their options and gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed to succeed in goals. Directly supervises the Team's Peer Specialists.

Responsibilities

• Joins with Team LPHA Clinicians to initiate and conduct intake process for all referred PS within 72 hours; welcomes, orients and engages PS to support their understanding of services and support available.
• Builds a trusting relationship to promote the PS interest and active involvement in ACCS; works with PS on readiness for goal setting using established protocols.
• Helps person complete 8 Dimensions of Wellness Assessment and Power Statement at intake.
• Shares personal experiences; provides support, education and advocacy to PS, especially at times of service and life transitions.
• Introduces and provides warm hand off for PS to other Team Peer Specialists for future work together.
• Maintains close contact with PS who struggle with initial or sustained engagement in ACCS.
• Engages PS in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning.
• 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.
• Facilitates Peer Support groups; connects PS with both psychiatric conditions and substance use/addiction to recovery tools and resources.
• Implements Peer Support-oriented Treatment Plan interventions with PS; completes documentation only in accordance with Certified Peer Specialist training standards.
• Helps PS develop self-advocacy skills, individually or in groups.
• Provides information and training on recovery and self-management plans and strategies, including facilitating the PS completion of a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) individually or in a group.
• Assists PS in strengthening relationships with chosen family and friends.
• Assists PS in linking to other community services and building Recovery and support networks outside the service system, including services and networks for people with co-occurring disorders for mutual help and Recovery support groups.
• Provides on-going problem solving, skill training, and side-by-side support to help PS improve their daily living skills and abilities; models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies for PS.
• Teaches, consults and collaborates with Team members to ensure recovery values, language, and culture are promoted and upheld.
• On-boards, orients and coaches new Team Peer Specialists by using shadowing of experienced Peer Specialists, reviewing the application of Certified Peer Specialist and other applicable Codes of Ethics to the Team's work.
• Uses and models for other ACCS staff recovery-oriented, person-centered, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change; trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches.
• Performs, trains, supervises, mentors, and models evidenced-based recovery-oriented interventions for PS, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Housing First; Stages of Change and Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).
• Supervises Peer Specialists; provides training, guidance and consultation to Team Peer Specialists to maintain integrity to the Peer role and adherence to Certified Peer Specialist and other applicable Codes of Ethics.
• Helps Peer Specialists problem solve potential ethical conflicts, support their voice of Recovery in Team interactions, and mentor each on how to be effective in their work as a Peer Specialist.
• Communicates frequently with Team Leader and meets with TL regularly to review performance and resolve any Peer Specialist performance issues.
• Leads the Team's Peer Specialists' efforts to organize and deliver Peer Support to PS.
• Visits all GLEs and SIE settings regularly to provide Peer Support.
• Facilitates Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups.
• Receives consultative and educative supervision, consultation and training from Vinfen's Director of Recovery Services at least monthly, and upon request.
• Engages as a member of the Lead Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup for continuous role competency development and learning, and to provide leadership with feedback and input in policy and program development and work decisions.
• May co-facilitate Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for PS to have a full and satisfying life in the community.
• Strong commitments 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.
• Knowledge of Peer Support practices and ethical standards.
• Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, principles and modalities.
• Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with PS by the program.
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality of PS.
• Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques.
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender differences of PS.
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques.
• Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of PS.
• Knowledge of community and other resources.
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.
• Ability to promote psychiatric advance directives and relapse prevention techniques.
• Ability to balance competing priorities.
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment.

Qualifications

• One to three years' experience providing peer support to people with psychiatric disability and/or co-occurring disorders required.
• Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's degree from accredited school or Associate's degree strongly preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
• Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. 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.
• 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.
• CPR required within first two weeks of hire.
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
• Must become a Certified Peer Specialist OR obtain Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery "Recovery Coach Academy" certificate of completion within 6 months of hire.

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. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer.