Peer Support Specialist - Recovery Coach

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Peer Recovery Support Worker supports integrated health and behavioral health care management for clients as a part of New Haven’s new CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Center) clinic.

This role helps consumers with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders recognize that they are not alone and can recover.

Works with CCBHC integrated care team to ensure that the client’s behavioral health and addictions treatment, primary / specialty health and social service needs are met through integrated care.

Facilitates warm handoffs of clients to detoxification and inpatient substance abuse / co-occurring treatment programs and their return to CCBHC outpatient care.

Facilitates peer recovery groups at the agency and in the community. Connects client with other appropriate peer support and community-based services, as needed.

Teams with other staff in co-facilitating psycho-social rehabilitation groups addressing social skills, vocational skills, health and wellness.

Administers national evaluation tools as necessary.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Helps consumers with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders recognize that they are not alone and can recover from substance abuse and co-occurring illness.

Nurtures client readiness for recovery from co-occurring disorders.

Serves as a resource to clients seeking information. Offers relevant information and materials to consumers as appropriate.

Maintains an active interest in helping clients.

• Provides advocacy services on behalf of client when appropriate.
• Works with CCBHC integrated care team to ensure that the client’s behavioral health and addictions treatment, primary / specialty health and social service needs are met through integrated care.
• Facilitates warm handoffs to clients to detoxification and inpatient substance abuse / co-occurring treatment programs and their return to CCBHC outpatient care.
• Facilitates peer recovery groups at the agency and in the community. Connects client with other appropriate peer supports and community-based services, as needed.

Attends community meetings with clients, role playing the first meeting, having a debriefing meeting, etc.

Teams with other staff in co-facilitating psycho-social rehabilitation groups addressing social skills, vocational skills, health and wellness.

Administers national evaluation tools as necessary.

• Demonstrates respect and nonjudgmental attitudes in all contacts with clients, community professionals and agencies. Embraces and integrates co-occurring philosophy into work with clients.
• As clients are being discharged from care, makes assertive linkages to groups and programs specific to the client.
• Provides empathic communication and maintains appropriate boundaries; respects the personal and cultural identity of clients.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize signs and symptoms that indicate a client may need additional clinical support, and connects client to appropriate resources.
• Reports and removes oneself from any real or perceived conflict of interest.
• Participates in performance and quality improvement activities as dictated by supervisor.
• Participates in ongoing agency supervision, staff meetings, and appropriate training.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification as a peer recovery specialist.
• Recovery from mental health and / or substance abuse diagnosis for a minimum period of one year.
• Actively participate in leadership role in recovery activities.
• Willingness to establish supportive and respectful rapport with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including but not limited to clientele, clinical staff, administrative staff and team members.
• Willingness and ability to work supportively and effectively within a team setting
• Initiative to proceed without direct supervision and utilizes training effectively.
• Maturity and dependability.
• Ability to follow organizational guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to uphold complete consumer confidentiality.
• Ability to provide empathic communication and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Proficient in Microsoft environment, notably Word, Excel and Outlook; ability to document services in an Electronic Clinical Record.
• Written and oral fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Catholic Charities offers access to a comprehensive array of benefits, including :

For Good Health : Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance

For a Secure Future : Life, AD&D and Long-term disability insurance

For Retirement : 403(b) Plan, with employer matching contributions for eligible employees

For Career Advancement : Training and development opportunities and for Licensed Clinicians ability to apply for the education Loan Forgiveness Program under The National Services Health Corp.

For Work Life Balance : Generous paid time off; including vacation and sick time.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free and confidential counseling

Catholic Charities Inc., Archdiocese of Hartford is in compliance with all applicable discrimination laws. All hiring, promoting, and transferring is done on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to membership in any protected class.

EEO / AA / M-F / VET / DISABLED.