Peer Services Coordinator

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a Peer Services Coordinator. The incumbent will provide consultation and as needed supervision to Inpatient Peer Supervisors and work to support Peer Services throughout the Office of Inpatient management.  

Please note: Location is flexible, and office can be based in one of the DMH Area Locations.

 Detailed statement of duties and responsibilities: 

• Facilitate a monthly meeting with all Inpatient Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) to foster collaboration, support, and knowledge sharing to standardize practice within the DMH free standing facilities and the DMH units co-located with the Public Health Hospitals.
• Participates in the hiring process of Peer Specialists within the inpatient system.
• Based on current research and emerging knowledge, continually reviews program design for best practices and evidence-based data to support program goals, make recommendations, and implement changes to department program design.
• Supports the Office of Inpatient Management in developing and administering content for the Office of Inpatient Management learning experience. 
• Engage and educate Inpatient CPS's, clients, and families and make suggestions for improvements on how Inpatient CPS's engage with clients and families to understand and identify areas where they can provide support and assistance.
• Participates in Office of Inpatient Management meetings with a focus on Peer staff's work at the facilities. 
• Offer specific peer support services such as peer wellness coaching, Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), and/or Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP).
• Coordinate or participate in community integration activities.
• Supports positive meetings between client, families, and Inpatient CPS's where clients are empowered to share their needs, visions and goals with their families and caregivers when needs have been requested/identified.
• Coordinates with the learning and development department, the orientation to the Peer Support Services program for staff. Provides ongoing education about the role of the Peer Specialist.
• Serve as a positive role model, mentor, and coach for Inpatient CPS's to provide the best service clients and their families.
• Monitor and assess Peer Specialist team performance and service quality.
• Contributes to the understanding and interpretation of hospital and agency policies, procedures, and standards, especially as they apply to the development of the peer role in clinical settings.
• Assists staff and people served in assessing and revising services as needed to promote an environment that facilitates recovery.
• Participates in assigned local, community-based and/or statewide advisory councils and committees to discuss issues, brainstorm solutions to problems, maintain open communication between disciplines, promote the availability of resources, and promote efforts and/or to resolve problems.
• Always conducts self in a professional manner and works cooperatively with staff from all disciplines.
• Promotes teamwork by demonstrating flexibility, the ability to listen to the views of others, to compromise, to handle conflict and stay focused on a positive outcome.
• Maintains professional certifications and pursues continuing education opportunities to remain up to date with new developments in the Peer Specialist and recovery fields of knowledge.
• Compliance with all applicable state and federal laws including the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations which governs the privacy and confidentiality of information about people served.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of peer support and rehabilitation as they relate to people with psychiatric or substance abuse diagnoses.
• Experience with Peer Support Services throughout the system of care.
• Ability to provide consultation to facility peer staff in enhancing Peer Support Services throughout the system.
• Capacity to collaborates with Peer staff at the facilities to designs programs that promotes and supports a recovery and resiliency model of rehabilitation,
• Ability to ensure programs are developed using established and emerging principles in the field such as those found in SAMHSA's 10 fundamental components of recovery and the Certified Peer Specialist Code of Ethics.
• Ability to provide training related to the use and benefits of personal experiences of recovery in mental health services.
• Ensures that facilities provide services and opportunities that promote continuity of care, community integration, and an environment that facilitates recovery.
• Capacity to advocate with and/or for people served.
• Ability to establish rapport with people from different ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of all applicable state and federal laws which govern the privacy and confidentiality of information about consumers.
• Knowledge of agency rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines governing assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures followed in the inpatient setting.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights, and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and (A) Peer certification through a recognized Certified Specialist Program and at least (B) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience as a Mental Health Coordinator in the mental health or health care field. 
Based on assignment to a Family Support Specialist position applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and (A) completion of an approved Professional Parent Advisory League (PAL) entry-level training as a Family Support Specialist and at least (B) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience as a Family Support Specialist. 
Substitutions:
I.  An Associates degree in psychology, human services, mental health or a closely related field may be substituted for six months of the required (B) experience.
II.  A Bachelors degree or higher in psychology, human services, mental health or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required (B) experience.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle drivers license at a class level specific to assignment. 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.