Peer Recovery Specialist Certificate

Employment Outlook

Prospects for employment within the human services are projected to be excellent according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employment Projections 2006-2016, the New Hampshire Employment Projections 2004-2014 and the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2006-2016.

Job Opportunities

Graduates who choose to directly enter the workforce, are recruited by a variety of community agencies who work with children, adolescents, adults and seniors in a range of settings such as:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Vocational programs
• Residential programs
• Day habilitation programs
• and Day treatment programs

Graduates may be given titles such as:

• Recovery coach
• Lead peer specialist
• Recovery support specialist
• Peer support specialist
• Peer support coordinator
• Outreach worker, peer respite

Career Paths

The broad based skills of the program provide a foundation for a wide range of professional pursuits. Graduates who pursue advanced degrees will have opportunities to choose among many fields including:

• Social work
• Guidance counseling
• Labor negotiations
• Human resources
• Academic advising
• Organizational psychology
• Mental health
• Vocational rehabilitation

Licensing and Credentialing for Graduates

There are a variety of licenses and certifications possible to graduates of the Human Services Program.

• Graduates from any of the NECC Human Service Certificate or Associate Degree programs are eligible to apply for credentialing through the National Organization of Human Services (NOHS) as Human Services Board Certified Practitioner.
• Successful graduates of the Human Services Associate Degree program are eligible to pursue licensure within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Licensed Social Work Assistant (LSWA).
• Graduates may also pursue licensure within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (LADC II).

External Online Resources

Learn more about the current job market and trends within Human Services by visiting the following web sites:

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services
• National Organization of Human Services
• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook

Program Coordinator

Brian MacKenna-Rice Office: C-304 M Phone: 978-556-3331 bmackennarice@necc.mass.edu

Faculty Contact Information

Kathleen Bartolini, MA, NCC

Phone: 978-556-3293 Email: kbartolini@necc.mass.edu

Jack Davidson

Phone: 978-556-3540 Email: jdavidson@necc.mass.edu

Lisa Fabbri-Lopez, MA

Email: lfabbri@necc.mass.edu

Joseph Hannon, LICSW, LADC I

Email: jhannon1@necc.mass.edu