Peer Specialist I

Peer Specialist – Boston Resource Center (BRC) and Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community (MBRLC)

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Peer Specialist

Department: Psychiatry (RLC)

Schedule: Per Diem/Part Time/Day/Night/Weekend

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Peer Specialist I will perform various duties to support the Boston Resource Center (BRC) and Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community (MBRLC) programs. Peer Specialists I provide on-going health education, emotional support and encouragement to BRC/MBRLC participants. Will also assist in maintaining a resource library, assist in the collection and reporting of data, facilitate events and programs of the BRC and MBRLC, foster a warm and welcoming environment, communicate, represent and promote the peer perspective in the BRC and MBRLC and help to facilitate peer-run groups.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Provides on-going health education, emotional support and encouragement to Recovery Learning Community (RLC) program participants.
• Provides assistance in the development of reports and collection of data.
• Attends and participates in social events, trainings and workshops within the mental health system.
• Helps to facilitate events and training sessions within the RLC program.
• Informs, supports and empowers peers receiving mental health services. Acts consistently in a manner that demonstrates dignity and respect for peers. Acts in a calm, gentle manner and treats all peers and professionals alike with respect. Acts as role model, sharing personal strengths and skills and promoting hope in recovery.
• Maintains knowledge of current available resources and information through department communications, published literature, and other available sources.  Assists in maintaining resource library stocked and up-to-date.
• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and hospital’s mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Other duties as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in healthcare field preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Certified Peer Specialist preferred

EXPERIENCE:

Certified Peer Specialist or equivalent experience in a mental health care environment or related field required

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Basic familiarity with computers, inclusive of ability to enter and access data/information.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to instill confidence and to advocate for patients and their family.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of social, racial and ethnic populations.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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