Peer Recovery Specialist in Boston, Massachusetts at Institute for Health

Position Type: Non-Exempt, Full-Time 40 hours/ week – Hybrid Position (remote and on-site)

Location: Boston

Reports to: Director of Promise

About IHR: The Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) is a statewide service, research, policy, program development and capacity building agency. IHR designs its services based on an understanding of the impact of trauma. IHR’s CARF accredited treatment programs provide holistic interventions for hard-to-reach and high-risk individuals and families. IHR’s mission, since our founding in 1990, has been to develop and support a comprehensive continuum of care for families, individuals, youth, and pregnant and parenting people affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, violence/trauma, mental health challenges and other health issues, while advancing principles of health equity and social justice. Our work is focused on addressing and eradicating inequities in our health care, economic, and justice systems, especially as they disproportionately affect women and people of color. We are committed to providing services and creating communities that mitigate the effects of substance use, mental illness, and trauma. 

Summary Statement: The Peer Recovery Specialist is a person with lived experience of parenting in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Peer Recovery Specialist supports pregnant and parenting people impacted by substance use, trauma, and mental health needs. Using their own lived experience and professional training, the Peer Recovery Specialist assists people with accessing care, identifying and building on their strengths, learning about recovery, and navigating support and services for themselves and their families. The Peer Recovery Specialist will work closely with an interdisciplinary team on all family activities.

Essential Functions:

• Provide recovery-oriented, trauma-informed services both virtually and in homes and community settings, as determined by client and program needs.
• Collaborate with clients on recovery-centered treatment goals that are client-led, meet the client where they are, and promote safety, stability and wellbeing.
• Support clients and families in identifying goals for attaining and maintaining recovery, including cultivating a recovery support network.
• Build rapport with clients focused on trust-building, hope sharing, and encouragement.
• In collaboration with Promise clinician, support clients with identifying and coordinating supportive services for both them and their children, such as recovery services, early intervention services, medical care, and mental health supports.
• Assist clients in identifying trusted supports, caregivers, and resources to include in their recovery-centered treatment goals.
• Collaborate with the Promise clinicians in identifying and coordinating collaborative meetings between community support and the family that centers a person-centered, non-judgmental and strengths-based approach.
• Offer harm reduction education, safer use strategies and overdose prevention information, including naloxone education as needed.
• Build rapport with parents to supportively challenge negative beliefs and promote positive change, using Motivational Interviewing Techniques;
• Facilitate or co-facilitate groups;
• Engage in weekly or biweekly supervision and maintain all required documentation;
• Participate in collecting evaluation data for further assessment and/or services as needed;
• Collaborate with team members on an ongoing basis to discuss and coordinate client care and treatment.
• Perform other duties as related or assigned by Program Director or supervisor.
• Solicit feedback from participants about satisfaction and service delivery improvements and share with team.
• Participate in BSAS Recovery Coach Academy and related training if not already certified as a Recovery Coach.
• Participate in required training and become knowledgeable in relevant evidence-based practices, such as Seeking Safety, the Nurturing Program, and Trauma Informed Care.
• Maintain timely records of all services providers in EHR system in accordance with state and federal confidentiality laws.
• Use cloud-based systems for communication with IHR’s site office, including shared calendars, timesheets, and supervisor check-ins.
• Attend team and agency staff meetings.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Lived experience of parenting in recovery, and willingness to share experiences, skills, strengths, and resources.
• Strong understanding of child development and attachment.
• Knowledge of recovery pathways, Peer Recovery Centers, agencies, and services a plus
• Knowledge of medication assisted treatment; training in peer recovery support role preferred.
• Skills in Motivational Interviewing, and in strengths-based, trauma-informed service delivery.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Current certification as Peer Recovery Coach, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.

Other Requirements: (If Applicable)

• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and regular access to a reliable vehicle. Travel between sites (reimbursed).

Competencies:

• Clear and effective communication
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in teams
• Self-motivated and independent
• Problem-solving skills
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment to ongoing development and learning
• Dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position include talking, hearing, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and using hands for activities such as grasping, handling, and reaching. These physical and mental demands are essential for the successful execution of job responsibilities. Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.