Certified Peer Specialist - New Bedford, MA

Certified Peer Specialist

$21.00 - $24.00

FULL TIME

Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday | 7-3 or 8-4, one evening shift

Since 1852, Elwyn has helped people with autism, intellectual, developmental, and behavioral challenges lead meaningful lives. As an internationally recognized nonprofit human services organization, we have always been on the forefront of innovation.

Please join us to make a difference in the life quality of children, teens and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and related behavioral health challenges - and feel the resulting pride that will enrich your own life.

• Generous Paid Time Off
  
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
  
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
  
• Tuition Reimbursement
  
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
  
• Flexible Schedules
  
• Retirement Savings Plan

Elwyn is currently seeking a Certified Peer Support Specialist. The role involves providing essential support services to individuals across a wide age range, from young adults to geriatric consumers. These individuals are dealing with severe and persistent mental illness as they progress through different stages of recovery. The goal of this position is to offer empathy, encouragement, and practical assistance, drawing from your own lived experience to foster hope and resilience.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify individual needs and collaboratively develop personalized recovery plans
• Work with individuals to integrate all aspects of recovery, including physical, mental, and finding meaningful life purpose
• Participate as part of the interdisciplinary team in the engagement process
• Provide input for developing meaningful goals within the Individual Action Plan (IAP) or Person-Centered Treatment Plan
• Complete documentation templates to relay information including but not limited to changes in behavior, accomplishments, positive behavior, or treatment related information relayed during group or encounters
• Focus on areas such as mental health recovery education, daily living skills, physical wellness, housing, interpersonal relationships, substance use, independent transportation, self-help Organize and facilitate valued community activities that support recovery, self-help, wellness, fitness, social interactions, and cultural experiences outside of the consumers' homes
• Empower enrolled consumers to take a lead in planning and implementing peer-led activities or groups
• Share personal recovery experiences to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships
• Serve as a role model, demonstrating appropriate behavior and commitment to recovery
• Provide peer mentoring to validate consumers' life experiences, including addressing social stigmatization, acceptance, and affiliation issues
• Integrate the Prism Model for effective treatment of serious and persistent mental illness and trauma-informed approaches into everyday practice and clinical interventions
• Offer or assist with transportation needs to support engagement and participation in recovery-focused activities
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), crisis intervention and medication administration using agency-trained protocols
• Maintain current state-mandated training and certifications

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's degree (BA) in a Human Service field preferred
• Lived Experiences (defined as having been a consumer of mental health services) required
• Minimum of one year of active recovery (self-attestation) required
• Comprehensive writing skills required
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) required
• Crisis Intervention experience preferred
• Non-profit human service experience highly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication
• Demonstrated (basic, intermediate, advanced) experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; Access, Publisher and report-writer experience preferred
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, three (3) years driving experience in the United States, and acceptable driving record