The Peer Support Specialist requires someone who is culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of the targeted team and has an understanding of therapy and group work rooted in evidenced based approaches for intervention and management strategies. Peer Support services are peer-delivered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus. They are designed to promote skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms while facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of recovery-oriented principles (e.g. hope and self-efficacy, and community living skills). Peer support uses trauma-informed, non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from a behavioral health disorder.

Under supervision of the Program Director, the requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The provider ensures strengths based, person centered quality of care provided in a culturally and linguistically meaningful therapeutic environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA to perform the essential functions of the job. The functions below outline the general responsibilities associated with this position. Each of these functions is considered critical to effective department operations and our Mission. It is expected that all staff in this position will have satisfactory attendance and will perform these functions as assigned in a competent, cooperative, and timely manner. The Job Description will be reviewed periodically for accuracy and/or adjusted according to business necessity. This is a non-union position.

The salary for the Peer Support Specialist is $38,574.94 - $46,455.84 based on relevant experience.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide integrated peer care services to the client population at the clinic as indicated by the OMH, CCBHC expansion scope of practice.
• Provide clients with services in the filed as required.
• Participate in grant related workshops and trainings.
• Use the grant portals; SPARS to enter any grant required data in terms of service provision, clinical indicators.
• Provide rehabilitative and recovery oriented interventions for adults and children diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Help promote skills for coping and managing behavioral health symptoms.
• Work as a member of multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm- hand off referrals, including health homes services.
• Communicate effectively with clients and collateral contacts and conduct outreach for care coordination and community connections.
• Provide advocacy services for clients, including assisting individuals obtain benefits and entitlements, obtain food, obtain housing, and access appropriate care in the community.
• Conduct outreach and engagement such as interim visits with individuals after a discharge from a hospital, rehab, or inpatient stay to facilitate community tenure and increased readiness while waiting for the first post- discharge visit with a community-based mental health provider.
• Assist in the selection and utilization of self-directed recovery tools such as relapse prevention planning as part of assisting clients with self-help tools.
• Connect individuals to self-help groups in the community.
• Provide recovery education and counseling to individuals and their family members.
• Provide transitional supports- bridging from an institution (jail, hospital, rehab) to an individual’s home.
• Provide pre-crisis and crisis support services.
• Provide parent skills development and training.
• Conduct groups with families to strengthen social skills, decrease isolation, provide emotional support and create opportunities for ongoing natural support.
• Participate in staff and organizational meetings as requested for care coordination and development of policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate EBPs groups.
• Participate as member of the EBPs groups curriculum development process.
• Must complete Integrated Mental Health/Addictions Treatment Training (IMHATT) Certificate.
• Must be trained in Trauma Informed Care and in Military and Veteran’s culture.
• Perform additional relevant duties as requested by supervisor/management.
• Complete wellness, health promotions activities.
• Complete office duties as needed/required.
• Participate as a member of the on call Mobile Intervention team that is dispatched into the community as needed after hours. Peers may assist with developing crisis diversion plans or relapse prevention plans; may provide support during and after a crisis and may assist with connecting an individual with natural supports and linkages to community services.
• Follow-up with the individual and the individual’s family/support network to confirm linkage to Care Coordination, outpatient treatment or other community services.

EDUCATION AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Hold a high school diploma or jurisdictionally certified high school equivalency
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred
• NYS OMH peer certification is preferred
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness
• On call rotation as part of Crises Intervention Team
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor
• Ability to complete work independently as well as in collaboration with team members
• Must be team oriented with a willingness to be flexible and helpful
• Excellent computer skills including, Microsoft Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter
• Excellent time management skills

About Us: Acacia Network, the leading Latino integration care nonprofit in the nation, offers the community, from children to seniors, a pathway to behavioral and primary healthcare, housing, and empowerment. We are visionary leaders transforming the triple aim of high quality, and great experience at a lower cost. Acacia champions a collaborative environment to deliver vital health, housing, and community-building services, work we have been doing since 1969. By hiring talented individuals like you, we've been able to expand quickly, with offices in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Orlando, Tennessee, Maryland, and Puerto Rico.

*Acacia Network is an equal opportunity employer*

Job Type: Full-time

View public job page

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,574.94 - $46,455.84 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• Have you ever worked at Acacia Network or any of its affiliates?

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA/P) (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (Required)

Work Location: In person