Peer Counselor

Peer Counselor position works in First Episode Psychosis coordinated specialty care (CSC) clinics to provide one-to-one Peer Support to persons served to promote empowerment and self-determination. Provides advocacy in partnership with persons served by the CSC program. Shares personal recovery experiences to inspire hope and to develop mutuality in peer-to-peer relationships. Assists and/or supports persons served in the development of useful tools for their personal recovery, such as Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP). Provides trauma-informed, person-centered community-based interventions that support Health & Wellness. Participates in the development of Individualized Action Plans (IAPs) in partnership with the person served.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide one-to-one peer support to persons served to promote empowerment, self-determination, and personal wellness.

• Provide advocacy in partnership with persons served in individual or group settings

• Share personal recovery experiences to inspire hope, self-determination and to develop mutuality in peer-to-peer relationships.

• Assist persons served in the development of useful tools for their personal recovery, such as Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).

• Advocate with persons served and support their development of self-advocacy skills.

• Facilitate linkage to communities and networks that support the goals and aspirations of the person-served

• Attend staff meetings and serve on agency committees, project teams and work groups.

• Serve as a member of the CSC team and assist the person served in communicating their personal recovery plan and goals to the treatment team.

• Work collaboratively with CSC Team to support a Recovery Model of service.

• Provide outreach and engagement to participants and forge working alliances with participants and families to help them navigate services

• Provide written/electronic documentation of person's progress and steps towards achieving goals.

• Serve on the CSC team by attending regularly scheduled meetings and by actively participating in team discussions.

• Responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of treatment plan in partnership with the person served.

• Responsible for attending all mandatory trainings and classes

• Responsible for reading & communicating all pertinent information and attending daily rounds and staff meetings and informing supervisor or designee of any critical information.

• Provides culturally and linguistically competent services that are also sensitive and responsive to religious practice, sexual orientation, gender differences, physical disabilities, as well as services that are age and developmentally appropriate, including young adults and elders.

• Provide ongoing communication with other treatment providers to assure coordination of treatment planning and for sharing of pertinent information.

• Responsible for acting in a professional, courteous and respectful manner in dealing with persons served, families, coworkers and other service providers.

• Responsible for maintaining person served records in a timely manner by documenting in EMR and paper record and completing all other related forms

• Acts as CSC Program liaison for the RCC/RLC, Clubhouse and other community resources related to peer support services.

• CPS has access to individuals' personal history, therefore CONFIDENTIALITY and compliance with all HIPPA regulations are a must.

High school education is required.

Certification: Certification as a Peer Specialist (CPS) preferred. Once hired, CPS certification must be obtained within designated time period. This is a condition of employment; employees who do not attain CPS certification within 6 months will be ineligible to continue employment in this position.

Massachusetts Driver's license is preferred.

For more information regarding the CPS training please visit: http://transformation-center.org/training/cps/index.shtml

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

Candidate has good interpersonal skills and ability to use personal experience in a proactive way to support others. Self awareness, ability to receive feedback to enhance learning and recovery a must.