Vinfen
HOET Peer Recovery Specialist (PRD 3)
The HOET Peer Recovery Specialist will provide outreach and engagement services in a Homeless Outreach and Engagement Team (HOET) using lived experience of a psychiatric condition. The role includes providing referrals, service coordination, and community linkages to adults with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. It involves implementing service action plans, documenting work with clients, and supporting program services that address immediate needs, reduce barriers to care, and link people with housing and needed services. Together with other staff and clients, the specialist fosters services focused on mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration, with the goal of attaining permanent housing.
Responsibilities
Provide effective outreach and engagement practices to clients, using lived experience to promote connection and trust.
Develop and enhance trusting relationships with clients, gently engaging them to learn about barriers to services and housing.
Consistently offer support and treatment services, including referrals, service coordination and community linkages, and planning for permanent housing.
Provide input to and implement Service Action Plans for clients and complete required documentation.
Advocate as needed for clients’ access to services and provide consultation on person-centered services.
Provide consultation and training to clients and staff in the area of strengths-based, person-centered services.
Promote teamwork and encourage flexibility and responsiveness in staff.
Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
Adhere to Vinfen’s safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control protocols.
Ensure the privacy of clients, information and security of data.
Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of a medical emergency and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
Provide transportation to clients, as necessary.
Perform other related duties, as required.
Knowledge and Skills
Strong commitment to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community.
Willingness to use peer recovery skills and competence to engage and establish supportive and trusting relationships with clients.
Willingness to share personal experience of the recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort required for persons served to have a full and satisfying life in the community.
Knowledge and use of empowerment and advocacy techniques.
Knowledge of trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally competent services.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills.
Knowledge of different communication styles.
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
Knowledge of safety and risk protocols.
Knowledge of housing subsidies, services, and requirements.
Knowledge of medical and substance misuse community resources available to clients.
About Vinfen Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resilience, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen’s 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Job Requirements
Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions is required; must be well along in personal recovery.
Two to three years of work experience serving individuals with psychiatric conditions, and sometimes substance misuse, is preferred.
Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport clients is required.
Required Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Driving Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
The applicant must possess and maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment.
Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least one year, and must pass a driver’s screening background check.
Physical Effort
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living and remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
For positions in day programs or group residences, ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.
Required Certifications
CPR required within two weeks of hire.
First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses required, excluding MAP.
Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases required within six months of hire.
Other trainings as assigned.
Required Credentials/Licenses
Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) in state of service preferred.
Pay Range
USD 21.87 – USD 21.87 per hour.
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Responsibilities
Provide effective outreach and engagement practices to clients, using lived experience to promote connection and trust.
Develop and enhance trusting relationships with clients, gently engaging them to learn about barriers to services and housing.
Consistently offer support and treatment services, including referrals, service coordination and community linkages, and planning for permanent housing.
Provide input to and implement Service Action Plans for clients and complete required documentation.
Advocate as needed for clients’ access to services and provide consultation on person-centered services.
Provide consultation and training to clients and staff in the area of strengths-based, person-centered services.
Promote teamwork and encourage flexibility and responsiveness in staff.
Participate in all mandated training and staff meetings.
Adhere to Vinfen’s safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control protocols.
Ensure the privacy of clients, information and security of data.
Provide physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of a medical emergency and serve as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
Provide transportation to clients, as necessary.
Perform other related duties, as required.
Knowledge and Skills
Strong commitment to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community.
Willingness to use peer recovery skills and competence to engage and establish supportive and trusting relationships with clients.
Willingness to share personal experience of the recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort required for persons served to have a full and satisfying life in the community.
Knowledge and use of empowerment and advocacy techniques.
Knowledge of trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally competent services.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills.
Knowledge of different communication styles.
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues.
Knowledge of safety and risk protocols.
Knowledge of housing subsidies, services, and requirements.
Knowledge of medical and substance misuse community resources available to clients.
About Vinfen Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resilience, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen’s 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Job Requirements
Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions is required; must be well along in personal recovery.
Two to three years of work experience serving individuals with psychiatric conditions, and sometimes substance misuse, is preferred.
Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport clients is required.
Required Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Driving Requirements
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
The applicant must possess and maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment.
Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least one year, and must pass a driver’s screening background check.
Physical Effort
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living and remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
For positions in day programs or group residences, ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.
Required Certifications
CPR required within two weeks of hire.
First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division New Employee Training courses required, excluding MAP.
Crisis Intervention/Staff Safety and Infectious Diseases required within six months of hire.
Other trainings as assigned.
Required Credentials/Licenses
Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) in state of service preferred.
Pay Range
USD 21.87 – USD 21.87 per hour.
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