Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Summary

This position is eligible for $2,000 retention bonus.

The Providence Center Peer Recovery Specialist Anchor Community Center provides peer support services, serves as a client advocate, and provides clients with written and experiential information and resources to promote recovery.  They perform a wide range of tasks which assist clients in regaining control over their own lives and over their recovery process. They work within a multi-disciplinary treatment team to identify, support, assess and address client barriers to achieving goals and objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assess client needs using a holistic approach that includes medical/physical, vocational, educational, spiritual, social, recreational, financial, and community integration and recovery-focused needs and supports.
• Provide peer-based support and interventions regarding symptoms of physical or psychiatric illness, coping skills, medications/side effects, employment supports, and relapse prevention.
• Coordinate and/or deliver services to promote recovery, modeling effective coping strategies, self‑advocacy, and personal wellness practices grounded in lived experience.
• Facilitate development of and access to personal, agency, and community-based supports, services and resources that sustain ongoing rehabilitation and recovery; accompany clients as needed to acquire resources.
• Lead or co‑lead client-focused groups addressing life skills, benefits/resources, social skills and self-directed advocacy and recovery.
• Assist clients in how to effectively communicate with providers and navigate community service systems.
• Be a role model to clients by exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Communicate progress and actively contribute to daily team operations.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in accordance with Center, regulatory, and accreditation standards, including those for RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) as applicable.
• Uphold client rights by treating individuals with dignity, respecting diverse values and lifestyles, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Participate in required trainings, conferences, in-service education and continuing education in order to maintain certification (CPRS). Share knowledge with staff and clients. This includes training in professional boundaries and ethics.
• Maintain cooperative, professional relationships with staff, clients, community partners, and the public.
• Accept supervision and feedback constructively and contribute to a positive, collaborative work environment. Foster cooperative relationships with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Transport clients safely when required, adhering to traffic laws, safety protocols, and vehicle use policies.
• Attend team meetings to share updates and collaboratively address client challenges.
• Conduct home visits and community outreach to support clients in their natural environments.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely records of all client interactions and services provided, including clinical documentation as required.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve on committees and participate in agency initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support client goals and program needs.

Requirements

• High School or GED Preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of lived experience with substance use and/or mental health disorders for self, family member, or loved one, and the ability to appropriately share experience with clients. Someone who views clients’ needs with a high priority and who would be a strong advocate for them with other treatment providers.  Someone who espouses a strong desire to help others.
• Experience in accessing community resources such as housing, medical, financial, etc.
• Experience in behavioral and/or medical health preferred.
• Computer experience preferred.Must have valid driver's license, registration, current inspection and insured automobile.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification or must obtain CPRS within one year of hire. 
• Strong knowledge of community resources and systems, including housing, education, employment, and healthcare.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and follow CPRS code of ethics.
• Ability to be organized, solve problems, and manage time appropriately.
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with diverse clients and community partners.
• Cultural competence and commitment to providing equitable and inclusive services.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey information clearly and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in documentation and electronic record-keeping systems, including ability to document in electronic medical records.
• Ability to travel within the community with reliable transportation.
• Bilingual preferred. For positions designated as bilingual (Bil), proficiency in the required language is mandatory, and the language assessment must be passed no later than 30 days of starting the role.

About Us

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.