Overview

Come join a friendly and diverse clinical team that provides quality care! Community Healthlink (CHL) is looking for a part-time (15 hrs/wk) Residential Counselor/Peer Specialist in Leominster, MA.

These community-based units provide short-term therapeutic psychiatric/substance abuse treatment in a structured environment with 24-hour observation and supervision and individualized treatment interventions focused on the crisis and crisis resolution. The population for the CSU program include both males and females that are at least 18 years of age.

The North County Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) serves clients who are admitted due to struggle with a mental health crisis often additionally struggling with substance abuse. Our clients enter the program with an evaluation and client history completed by a qualified clinician prior to admission. The CSU may be used as a diversion to prevent a hospitalization or as a step-down immediately following a psychiatric hospital discharge to assist the client in transitioning back into the community. The unit receives admissions 24 hours/day, 365 days/year depending on bed availability (13 beds) for clients who do not need hospital level of care and meet the unit’s admission criteria. Although a voluntary program, individuals must remain on the unit for the duration of their stay for safety and treatment purposes. Clients meet with a multidisciplinary team to aid with following their individualized treatment plan and meet their treatment goals as well as a psychiatric workup and medication evaluation.

The Residential Counselor/Peer Specialist will provide support services such as information training and advocacy in order to assist individuals regain control over their own lives and over their own recovery. They will provide a unique perspective and related skills to Crisis Stabilization Program and perform a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in increasing knowledge of and partner with consumers in development of a plan to achieve personal growth.

Responsibilities

• Assist, encourage and empower individuals using mental health services.
• Assist clients with activities of daily living, structuring time and employment activities, housing support, leisure activities and substance abuse and symptom management.
• Peer Support - provide support and education around self management of illness, assist with goal acquisition and organizing and leading peer support activities. Conduct recovery focused groups as well and write daily group notes on each individual in the program. Possess the skills and competence to establish supportive and trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Personal Experience - having experienced a severe mental illness, the peer specialist assists the other members of the team to understand the client's perspective and subjective experiences. Peer specialists will have the self knowledge to manage their mental illness and be well along in their recovery.

Qualifications

• Grade 6: Residential Counselor II: Bachelor's degree required, in human services preferred.
• Paid or volunteer experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness
• Must be a certified Peer Specialist
• Previous/current participation in MH system as recipient of service and a willingness to convey this experience as relevant.
• All candidates will be subject to a CORI review as outlined in the regulations set by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. For more information, click here

Community Healthlink is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual preference, political affiliation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.If applicable, Community Healthlink shall also abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified protected veterans and qualified individuals on the basis of disability. These regulations require affirmative action by Community Healthlink to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.