Peer Counselor Jobs in Springfield, MA (NOW HIRING)

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 client 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 client 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.

• Conduct outreach visits to client’s home, hospitals/inpatient facilities and to community sites to engage client and provide services. Attempt to follow up with client within 24 hours of hospital/inpatient discharge to reengage him/her in aftercare services.

• Facilitates peer recovery groups at the agency and in the community. Connects client 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 ability to recognize signs and symptoms that indicate a client may need additional clinical support, and connects client 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 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 utilizes 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.