Project Health Peer Support Specialist | Outpatient

Why Work for Gandara:

Explore the career pathways in Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Community Based Clinical services, Adolescent and Family services, Adult Residential, Maintenance and Administration! Whether that is in an entry level or leadership role, Gandara will provide the tools and resources to better enhance your career growth. The opportunities are presented with the ability to transition your skills and experience in meeting the organizations mission. There is grand landscape of opportunities that supports the community we serve, so Join the Gándara team today!

Benefits:

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement
  
  

Additional Benefits:

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse population
• Student Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Clinical Licensing Support
  
  

Job Title: Project Health Peer Support Specialist

Work Location: Springfield, Ma

• Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply
• EOE M/F/D/V
• Union/Non-Union
  
  

Job Summary: The PSS should have some common history that helps assist program participants in their recovery. These commonalities can include a range of factors, including being a current or former consumer of mental health/substance use services; or be a current/former caregiver to someone who has; be in active recovery from substance use; or personal experience living with and/or caring for someone managing HH. Functions as a role model to peers; exhibits competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills. Performs a wide range of tasks to help clients regain independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• provide health skill-building and supports.
• Participant in being able to have conversations with various providers to access health support and treatment and assisting them in gaining confidence in asserting personal health concerns and questions, while also assisting the participant in building and maintaining self-management skills. Health should be discussed as a process instead of a destination.
• Participate in workshops, conferences and training to keep current with emerging evidenced based recovery oriented practices.
• Build personal relationships and support by connecting through lived experience
• Assist, encourage and empower participants by developing coping strategies, improving access to self-help/mutual support services, and linking to community-based opportunities for constructive social engagement.
• Facilitate access and attendance in mutual support and self-help groups. mental health, substance abuse, vocational rehabilitation, medical and other services pertinent to rehabilitation and recovery.
• Assist Case Manager in initial outreach, marketing and provision services
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Certified Peer support specialist or Bachelor’s Degree with lived experience, reasonable exceptions may be made in certain situations.
• Experience in case management or similar a plus Minimum 2 years’ previous experience working in peer support, recovery coach, or similar role.
• Bilingual candidates edncouraged to apply
  
  

The Gándara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training