Peer Specialist- Community-based Position Available In Norfolk, Massachusetts

Great opportunity exists as a Peer Specialist in our Adult CommunityClinical Services! The Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) assistshundreds of clients across the South Shore, who are referred by theDepartment of Mental Health and in need of support with theirrehabilitation and recovery. The ACCS team provides multi-disciplinarysupport for clients managing psychiatric symptoms while livingindependently in apartments, family homes, shelters, and within one of14 Aspire Health Alliance staffed residences. Responsibilities includecarrying out rehabilitation and support functions and assisting intreatment; providing education, support, and consultation to families;and providing crisis intervention under the clinical supervision ofstaff with professional degrees. Provide mentor and outreach services toACCS clients. Provides peer counseling and support, drawing on commonexperiences as a peer, to validate clients’ experiences and to provideguidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility andactively participate in their own recovery. Provides expertise andconsultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entireteam concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, theeffects and side-effects of medications, clients’ responses to andopinions of treatment and client’s experiences of recovery.

Collaborates with the team to promote a team culture in which eachclients’ point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized,understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination anddecision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.

Assists clients identify, understand, and combat stigma anddiscrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies toreduce self stigma. Assists other team members to identify andunderstand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people withmental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within theteam. Increases awareness of and support client participation inconsumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations thatpromote recovery. Serves as the liaison between the team andconsumer-run programs such as self-help groups and drop-in centers.

Organizes and leads individual and group social and recreationalactivities to help clients structure their time, increase socialexperiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills.

Schedule:

Part Time – 20 hours a week Monday through Friday, flexiblehours between 9 am – 6 pm

Hourly Rate:

$20.00

Requirements:

Current orprevious experience as a consumer of mental health services requiredValid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle required.

Bilingual skills and/or experience with multicultural populationspreferred