JOB SUMMARY: Under the Clinical Supervisor's guidance, the Peer Specialist delivers Peer Empowerment and Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Services to CORE clients in community or via telehealth. They also support clients in our Article 31 Outpatient Clinic, aiding in enrollment and promoting coping skills for behavioral health symptoms. The Peer Specialist models recovery skills, fosters self-efficacy, and assists clients in accessing education and employment opportunities through the CORE PSR Program. This hybrid position requires the Peer Specialist to report to the office at least once a week.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide Peer and PSR individual encounters to CORE clients during home, field visits and/or Telehealth.
- Provide Peer Services to BAC Article 31 clients onsite, in various community settings or via telehealth.
- Modeling a recovery lifestyle.
- Call clients from the Article 31 client list in the BAC Article 31 Clinic at least 1 day per week to see if there are clients interested in Peer Services (Client list will be provided by Supervisor).
- Provide addiction psychoeducation to clients.
- Provide coping skill, stress reduction training, and problem-solving skills
- Support clients in achieving their employment and educational goals.
- Engage client in shared decision making around service and recovery planning.
- Review client’s progress toward goals and objectives and update ISP as goals are met.
- Document client’s progress in the ECR system.
- Communicate with other providers such as prescribers, case managers or employment specialists to ensure integrative quality care.
- Utilize personal lived experience to inspire hope and promote recovery
- Assist individuals in developing and achieving their personal recovery goals.
- Collaborate with treatment teams to develop and implement individualized care plans.
- Conduct individual and group counseling sessions focused on mental health and addiction recovery.
- Facilitate peer-led support groups and educational workshops.
- Advocate for individuals' rights and access to appropriate services
- Assist individuals in navigating the behavioral health system and accessing community resources
- Assist client in identifying activities that promote a sense of passion, purpose and meaning.
- Wellness coaching with a focus on whole health which may include personal sharing of own story.
- Employ non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration.
- Accompany, support and advocate on behalf of client in an emergency or crisis unit if needed.
- Provide short-term crisis support to clients who have been discharged from an emergency room, crisis unit, crisis respite center or incarceration.
- Other duties as assigned based on program needs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge in trauma informed recovery, both in SUD and mental health.
- Good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants and peers with chronic illness, substance use and mental illness, or a history thereof.
- The ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions.
- Knowledge of community resources for people with chronic medical and behavioral health issues
- Demonstrates ability and willingness to utilize public transportation to navigate the five boroughs of NYC.
- Experience with and knowledge of CORE and HARP preferred but not required.
- Experience working in a behavioral health or substance use treatment setting preferred
- Knowledge of crisis management techniques and crisis intervention strategies
- Familiarity with motivational interviewing and strengths-based approaches
- Understanding of mental health counseling principles and techniques
- Ability to provide mentoring and support to individuals in their recovery journey
- Knowledge of addiction counseling principles and strategies
EDUCATION:
Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent.
Must be certified by OMH or OASAS as a Peer Specialist
WORK EXPERIENCES:
Minimum Peer Support Specialists: 1 year (Preferred)
Minimum Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
CERTIFICATION:
New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or NYCPS-Provisional Certification or Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) required
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $29.00 - $30.22 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 35 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
- Peer Support Specialists: 1 year (Preferred)
- Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA): 1 year (Required)
License/Certification:
- New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) (Required)
- NYCPS-Provisional Certification (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Brooklyn, NY 11226 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Brooklyn, NY 11226: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person