Peer Specialist or Recovery Coach (ACCS)

Flexible Schedule up to 40 hours

The Peer Specialist at BAMSI will engage persons in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning.

Must have a high school diploma or GED. Must be a Certified Peer Specialist and have a personal history of recovery and a sound understanding of and commitment to the consumer-led recovery movement. Must have a valid driver's license in state of residence and own means of transportation.

General Statement of Duties: Engage Persons in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning.

Responsibilities:

1. Utilize recovery principals in partnership with Persons and members of the Integrated Teams to improve Persons’ health and wellness; achieve symptom stabilization and self-management; develop and/or restore skills impacted by their mental illness; live a self-directed life; and strive to reach their full potential.
2. Provide peer counseling and support to validate persons’ served life experiences and serve as a role model in which the individual’s experience with the mental health service system and current goals and desires are explored. Engage in non-judgmental, empathetic, active listening.
3. Assist in the implementation of treatment plan interventions.
4. Lead skill-building and support groups, as needed.
5. Act as an interpreter to help non-mental health consumer team members better understand and respect each individual’s unique life experience. Collaborate with Integrated Team staff and agency leadership to ensure that recovery values are endorsed and sustained.
6. Collaborate with the program team to promote a “team culture” in which each individual’s point of view, experiences and preferences are recognized and respected and in which self-determination in treatment planning is maximized.
7. Help persons served identify, understand and combat mental health and addiction related stigma and discrimination and help develop strategies to reduce self (or internalized) stigma.
8. Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of individuals’ rights and help them learn more about their rights, grievance procedures and providing support to file, mediate, and resolve complaints.
9. Assist persons served to cope with internal and external stresses. Develop and support the practice and use of individualized recovery tools and  to connect to resources of their choice.
10. Assist the team in providing treatment that is non-confrontational and has individualized determined goals.
11. Provide on-going assessment, problem solving, coaching, skills training, support and environmental adaptions to assist persons served with activities that promote wellness, such as maintaining personal hygiene, assisting with meal procurement, money
    management, accessing transportation, health and dental care and other personal needs as identified on the Person's treatment plan.
12. Assist persons served in finding ways that are comfortable for them to socialize and be with others in a relaxed, safe environment.  This includes helping find and maintain safe, permanent, affordable housing and other meaningful activities that maximize
    their interdependence in their communities as identified on the Person's treatment plan.
13. As a representative of BAMSI, communicate in a professional and respectful manner at all times.
14. Execute duties to reflect safety standards. Universal precautions must be utilized at all times.
15. Obtain required trainings within allotted time frames.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency, Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Must be a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach/Certified Peer Specialist, or in the process of obtaining certification
  
• A personal history of recovery and a sound understanding of and commitment to the consumer-led recovery movement.
• Good listening and communication skills.
• Knowledge of mental health system, including comfort in dealing with both traditional and non-traditional providers
• Must have valid driver’s license in state of residence and have own means of transportation.
• Preference given to candidates with fluency in languages prevalent in Southeastern MA