Peer Specialist - Youth Crisis Stabilization

The YCCS Peer Specialist is an employee within Acute Care Services. They work as part of the programs’ treatment team, establishing open and effective communication and support among co-workers. The YCCS Peer Specialist works with youth on life skills, and teaching skills to help youth successfully cope with a behavioral health diagnosis.

SCHEDULE: SUNDAY - THURSDAY / 3PM-11PM (2ND SHIFT)

$1 per hour Language Differential! (eligible languages include: Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish or ASL)

Qualifications:

• Must be peer certified and/or recovery coach certified
• Experience providing milieu support to youths
• Individual must have lived, personal experience in coping with a serious behavioral health condition(s) and must be willing to share their lived experience with purpose and intent to engage therapeutically with youth and support the development of self-efficacy in management of behavioral health symptoms

Responsibilities:
The following responsibilities are not meant to be all inclusive and may be adjusted to meet the agency’s needs.

• Provide a comfortable youth and family friendly environment conducive to recovery and stabilization
• Assist in the development of treatment planning that specifies goals and actions to address the medical, social, therapeutic, educational, and other strengths and needs of youth
• Participate in the development and implementation of behavioral plans and crisis/safety plans
• Assist in facilitating youth admissions and discharges
• Facilitate/co-facilitate recreational groups and wellness activities including physical exercise, nutrition, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
• Provide opportunities for and supervision as appropriate for phone/virtual interaction between youth, guardians, and approved contacts while youth is at the program.
• During waking hours perform 15 min checks of youth while in their bedrooms
• During sleeping hours perform 30 min checks of all youth
• Utilize Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA) website to update daily capacity as instructed, use website to locate other services for youth in assisting with aftercare planning and referrals
• Interact therapeutically with youth and maintain visual supervision/monitoring of youth as indicated
• Utilize verbal de-escalation skills, planned ignoring, and redirection to encourage youth to utilize self-soothing skills and increase ability to self-regulate
• Utilize physical intervention as a last resort and within the agency guidelines
• Work effectively and professionally with youths and collaterals, such as family members, state agency personnel, other agencies and professionals
• Perform basic household duties and meal preparation
• Work collaboratively within Acute Care Services staff to cross train and provide coverage as needed.
• Ability to move quickly in responding to emergencies
• Possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Promote high staff morale and team atmosphere within department
• Adhere to the agency’s policy regarding confidentiality and work within a culturally diverse and inclusive environment
• Strong problem solving and decision-making abilities
• Communicate with youths in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights, and integration into the community
• Adhere to all policies set forth in the Employee Manual
• Complete training in the Six Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring within first six months of hire
• Maintain regular and timely attendance

Cultural Competency Qualifications

• Awareness of personal attitudes, beliefs, biases, and assumptions about others
• Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, and ethnicity
• Acknowledging that people from other cultural groups may not share the same beliefs and practices or perceive experiences in the same way
• Cultural knowledge of key populations that will be served to address disparities in service delivery
• Demonstrates positive attitudes towards cultural differences by showing respect and openness towards people whose social and cultural background is different from one's own
• Demonstrates skills for communication and interaction across cultures, including the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviors, moods, and impulses to create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming climate within the agency

Benefits:

• Heal and strengthen the lives of children and families
• Benefit eligible at 20 hours
• Medical – Harvard Pilgrim/Health Plans – 75% employer paid for full-time employees
• Dental – Delta Dental
• EyeMed Vision
• AbilitiCBT - FREE TO ALL EMPLOYEES
• 2 weeks’ vacation accrued over 1st year, 3 weeks after 3 years, 4 weeks after 5 years and 5 weeks after 20 years
• Generous sick time and personal time
• 10 paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per calendar year
• Professional Licensure reimbursement (LICSW, LMHC)
• Flexible spending accounts – save on medical expenses and dependent care!
• 401K – CFS matches first 1% at 100%; 2%-6% of annual earnings are matched at 50%
• 100% Employer paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Long Term Disability and AD&D
• 24 hour travel assistance, mileage reimbursement, discounted Healthtrax gym membership, BJs membership discounts and employee appreciation events!

Child and Family Services, Inc. values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages applicants from the BIPOC, LGBTQ , AAPI, Hispanic, Latinx and Veteran communities to apply for employment. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, gender, sex,( including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy) disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.50 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,500