ACCS Peer Specialist, Part-Time, $20 352

Part-time Peer Specialist position in the Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) team at Aspire Health and Community Services. The ACCS team assists hundreds of clients across the South Shore who are referred by the Department of Mental Health and need support with rehabilitation and recovery. Schedule: 20 hours per week (Monday 10-4, Wednesday 10-6, Saturday 11-5, with some schedule flexibility).

Responsibilities

Carry out rehabilitation and support functions and assist in treatment; Provide education, support, and consultation to families; Provide crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees; Provide mentor and outreach services to ACCS clients; Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer; Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the team; Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture that respects client point of view, experiences, and preferences; Assist clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness; Assist team members in identifying and eliminating stigma within the team; Increase awareness of and support client participation in consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations; Serve as liaison between the team and consumer-run programs such as self-help groups and drop-in centers; Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities for clients

Requirements

Current or previous experience as a consumer of mental health services; High School Diploma; Peer Specialist Certification within 6 months from date of hire; Valid driver's license and access to personal vehicle; Commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences, work in market jobs, and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services; Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses; Respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment; Experience with recovery from psychiatric disabilities

Nice to have

Bilingual skills; Experience with multicultural populations; Related training (e.g., certified occupational therapy assistant, home health care aide); Related work experience (e.g., teaching)