Peer Specialist

• Model lived experience of mental illness in all aspects of job as a Peer Specialist.
• A willingness to share his/her personal recovery story to inspire clients and to role model recovery as an ongoing process.
• Serve as client advocate in a variety of settings and situations.
• Assist clients to achieve their personal needs, wants and goals.
• Provide support and advocacy for issues related to crisis recovery, psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, medical issues and appointments, housing issues, legal proceedings, employment and community integration.
• Participate in clinical risk and/or treatment planning meetings for individuals served.
• Engage and support any individual who is not engaging with their current providers .
• Teach recovery principles throughout the Mental Health Division to staff including leadership, rehabilitation specialists, housing staff, clinicians, employment specialists, and any others involved in supporting the individual served.
• Communicate regularly with all team members through participation in team meetings, writing service notes, service planning and risk meetings.

Qualifications:

• Self-identification as a current or former consumer of mental health services.
• Participation in a consumer training program, such as the Peer Educators Project, CASCAP’s Consumer Provider Program, Massachusetts Leadership Academy etc.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a culturally diverse population of clients, other care providers, family and community members.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Professional documentation and communication skills, as well as demonstrated organizational skills.