Pact Peer Support Specialist

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am - 4pm

Salary: $$40,220 / year w/out CPS; $46,340 w/CPS

Sign-on bonus: $5000; $1666 upon completion of 30 days, $1667 upon completion of 6 months, $1667 upon completion of 1 year

The Peer Support Specialist works as part of the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) multidisciplinary team and has experience as the recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its person served. The PACT Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by persons served to have a satisfying life.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate persons served experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to persons served to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery

• Serve as a mentor to persons served to promote hope and empowerment

• Act as an interpreter to help non-mental health consumer team members better understand and emphasize with each persons served experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side-effects of medications, persons served responses to and opinions of treatment and persons served experiences of recovery

• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each persons served point of view, experiences and preferences are recognized, understood and respected, and in which persons served self-determination and decision making in Individual Action Planning (IAP) are maximized and supported.

• Other duties as required

Why Vinfen?

We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for employees working 30 hours or more

• 15 days of Vacation, 12 Paid Holidays, 10 Sick Days and 3 Personal Days per year (for employees scheduled for 20 hours or more)

• Education Assistance and Tuition Remission Programs as well as innovative Student Loan Payment Programs. Employment with Vinfen counts toward your Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility

• Professional Development programs including year-round online training courses and opportunities to earn CEUs

• Retirement savings programs, including a fully funded, employer sponsored retirement plan and an employee funded 403 (b) plan

• Company paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance

• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (Health and Dependent care)

• $500 -- $1,000+ Employee Referral Bonuses with no annual cap!

• Other generous benefits including discounted memberships, access to wellness programs 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 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs 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.

Keywords: Peer Specialist, PeerSpecialist, CPS, advocacy, PeerSupport, VinfenPS, VinfenPACT

• Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology or related field strongly preferred. In some cases experience may be substituted for education

• Two to three years experience with adults dealing with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or with individuals with similar needs

• Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Certification is preferred prior to hire, but is required post hire

• Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) certification preferred.

• Strong commitment to the right and ability of program person served to live, work, and seek supports as the general population at large

• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with program persons served

• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a multi-disciplinary team

• All applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a current, valid, US drivers' license for at least one year. Additionally, this position requires a fully insured vehicle that you will use in the course of your daily work. You must be willing to transport clients in your vehicle.

• All candidates must be able to successfully pass a CORI, reference, multi-state background, professional licensure and driving record check.

• All candidates must be able to be CPR and First Aid certified within two weeks of hire