The HOET Peer Recovery Specialist will provide outreach and engagement services in a Homeless Outreach and Engagement Team (HOET) using one's lived ex provide outreach and engagement services in a Homeless Outreach and Engagement Team using one’s lived experience of a psychiatric condition. Provide referrals, service coordination, and community linkages to adults with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. Implement Service Action plans and document work with clients. Support program services that are low-demand, address immediate needs, reduce barriers to care and link people with housing and needed services. Together with other staff and clients, foster services focused on mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration; where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

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

• Provide effective outreach and engagement practices to clients, using one’s lived experience as a way to promote connection and trust.
• Develop and enhance trusting relationships with clients. Skillfully and gently engage clients to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to services and housing.
• Consistently offer but do not require clients to accept support and treatment services; including referrals, service coordination and community linkages, and planning for permanent housing.
• Provide input to and implement Service Action Plans for clients. Complete required documentation for clients’ records.
• Advocate as needed, for client's access to services, provide consultation on person-centered services.
• Provide consultation and training to clients and staff in the area of strengths-based, person-centered services.
• Promote teamwork and encourage flexibility and responsiveness in staff.
• Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Adhere to Vinfen’s safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control protocols.
• Ensure the privacy of clients, as well as information and security of data.
• Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Provide transportation to clients, as necessary.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community
• Willingness to use peer recovery skills and competence to engage and establish supportive and trusting relationships with clients.
• Willingness to share and use his/her personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for persons served to have a full and satisfying life in the community
• Knowledge and use empowerment and advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered, and culturally competent services
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols
• Knowledge of housing subsidies, services, and requirements
• Knowledge of medical and substance misuse community resources available to clients.

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.

Job Requirements:
Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions required; must be well along in
own personal recovery (self-knowledge and habits needed to support one’s own health).

Two to three years’ work experience serving people psychiatric conditions, and sometimes substance misuse preferred.
Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport clients required. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or 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 one year, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check.

Physical Effort:
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.
HOET Peer Recovery Specialist - PRD 3
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility. 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.
For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications:
CPR is required within two weeks of hire
First Aid is required within two weeks of hire
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses are required, excluding MAP
Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases is required within six months of hire
Other trainings, as assigned

Required Credentials/Licenses:
Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) in state of service preferred