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 Persons Served explore their options and gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed to succeed in goals.

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Implements peer support oriented interventions outlined in person served’s Respite Community Support Plan

• Meets persons served both on-site at the Respite program and out in the community as part of the Mobile Respite service.

• Shares personal experiences 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 selflearning.

• Assists PS in linking to other community services and Recovery and support outside the service system– both actual and electronic, including services and networks for people with co-occuring disorders for mutual help and Recovery support groups.

• Facilitates Peer Support groups. Provides access to recovery tools and resources for PS. Connects PS with both mental health and substance misuse/addiction challenges to appropriate services and resources such as 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 as desired by PS.

• Promotes engagement, safe housing, community tenure, achievement of greater self-sufficiency [Abstract] 2 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.

• Helps PS develop self-advocacy skills, individually or in groups.

• Provides on-going problem solving, skill training, and side-by-side support to help PSs improve their daily living skills and abilities. Models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies for PS.

• Teaches and consults with Respite staff to reinforce and improve their understanding of recovery values, person-centered language and the perspectives of Persons Served and to use processes and strategies conducive to recovery.

• Uses recovery-oriented, person-centered, motivational interviewing, harm- reduction, Housing First, Stages of Change, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches to help PS think through their current life circumstances compared to their hopes and plans for the future.

• Facilitates Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups.

• Receives role-specific, on-the-job Peer Supervision, feedback, coaching and consultation from Respite Program Director and Manager of Peer Services regularly.

• Engages as a member of the Peer Specialist Community of Practice Workgroup, for continuous role competency development and learning.

• Completes any needed documentation only in accordance with Certified Peer Specialist training standards.

• 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
  • First-rate Medical, Dental and Vision plans that are open to all employees scheduled to work 30 hours per week or more. Plus, we offer a generous employer contribution toward the cost of medical insurance!
  • Employer-paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance (no cost to you!)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Health and Dependent care)
  • Voluntary Term Life, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
  • Voluntary Pet Insurance
  • Generous paid time off (Employees scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week):
    • 15 days of Vacation per year
    • 12 Paid Holidays per year
    • 10 Sick Days per year
    • 3 Personal Days per year
  • Up to $6,000 per year in Tuition Assistance
  • $500 Employee Referral Bonus with no annual cap!
  • Other generous benefits including access to discounted movie and theme park tickets, online shopping discounts, and more!

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, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

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.