Restoration Center Community Intervention Specialist MA BHAS
Vinfen
Summary
The Restoration Center (RC) Community Intervention Specialist (CIS) promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community by providing frontline, community-based care, crisis response, and rehabilitation support for individuals experiencing mental health conditions and/or substance use related challenges. The CIS also serves as a bridge connecting Persons Served by the Restoration Center and community partners, emergency services, and first responders.
Job description
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensures a trauma-informed environment that promotes safety and recovery.
- Answers telephones and direct calls to proper party. Assist with and check phone messages. Maintain phone listings.
- De-escalates active conflicts, manage emergency situations, and provide immediate on-the-ground support.
- Connects clients or community members to housing, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and victim services.
- Promotes engagement, trauma informed and person served service delivery, strengths based, person first language, for all PS.
- In close partnership with clinical leadership, designs and implements community-based, trauma-informed strategies to prevent violence and disruptive behavior.
- Facilitates warm hand-offs to the Living Room and/or Sober Support areas by working closely with directors/managers/supervisors in addition to the front-line staff.
- Collaborates around tracking client flow through the Restoration Center to increase accessibility; and problem-solves barriers to engagement and connection.
- Communicates effectively with program staff, supervisors, clinicians, and emergency personnel as needed to ensure coordinated and seamless care.
- Supports incident response efforts by gathering information, notifying appropriate parties, and completing required documentation.
- Serves as a bridge between the public, local organizations, and legal or law enforcement agencies.
- Maintains necessary documentation and records.
- Actively participates in supervision and staff meetings.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills
- Must possess excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain satisfactory working relationships with employees and providers.
- Superb interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to clients.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment that is benefited by the independent successes of all staff members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to develop effective documentation.
- Demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse populations.
- Understanding of social determinants of health and commitment to crisis intervention in the context of whole-person care.
- Understanding trauma, co-occurring disorders, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders strongly preferred.
Requirements
- 1-2 years’ experience in human services, preferably working in a behavioral health (mental health and/or substance use) community-based outpatient or an acute or diversionary behavioral health setting.
- Personal lived experience of mental health or substance use condition is strongly preferred.
- Applicants with linguistic, social, cultural, ethnic, racial demographics reflective of the community served strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or another related field is preferred.
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.
- May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
- 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.
- If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks.
- If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.
- 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 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.
- CPR within 2 weeks of hire
- First Aid within 2 weeks of hire
- CPAA required within 6 months of hire
Benefits
- 401(a) Retirement Plan
- 403(b) Plan
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- Short-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time Off
Company overview
Vinfen is a leading nonprofit health and human services organization established in 1977, specializing in community-based mental health care and disability services. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vinfen operates over 200 locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut, serving more than 3,500 individuals annually. The organization provides comprehensive services for people with psychiatric conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, autism, and behavioral health challenges. Their evidence-based programs include residential supports, clinical outreach, employment services, day habilitation programs, clubhouses, and crisis intervention services. Vinfen employs approximately 2,600-3,300 dedicated professionals who deliver person-centered care through innovative service models. The organization operates Community Behavioral Health Centers offering 24/7 crisis intervention, outpatient therapy, and medication management. With annual revenues exceeding $250 million, Vinfen is recognized as one of the largest nonprofit employers in Massachusetts and has received numerous awards for excellence in health and human services, including recognition as a Top Place to Work by The Boston Globe.