Mental Health Peer Specialist

Full-time position with an excellent benefits package is available with our caring, supportive and dedicated team. Make a difference in the lives of families!

• $20.00/hr.
• 37.5-hour work week
• M – F, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm AND ONE (12pm – 8pm shift required per week)
• 27 paid days off in year 1 (vacation & holidays), plus paid sick time!
• 4% flat 401k contribution (after 1 year)
• Employer paid life insurance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available
• Supportive and inclusive organizational culture

We are looking for someone that is actively in recovery from a mental health condition and can intentionally self disclose one’s mental health recovery journey.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Mental Health Peer Specialist is part of the Behavioral Health Clinic multidisciplinary team. The Peer Specialist draws from lived experience with mental health and disorders and is personally familiar with the associated challenges. This is combined with professional training to provide professional, non-clinical support services that enhance clinical treatment through structured, strength-based recovery support, education, empowerment, skill development, and advocacy using person-centered care. Services include individual, family, and/or group meetings and are delivered in the community, at the clinic(s), and/or through telehealth depending on the needs and preferences of the individual.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Conducts outreach to individuals currently enrolled in or referred for treatment to promote engagement.
• Develops a culturally informed, supportive, professional, strength-based relationship with new and existing clients.
• Shares lived experience when appropriate to engage clients, reduce stigma, and build hope.
• Works with clients to create support goals, collaborates with individuals, their families, and providers regarding progress; and revises goals as needed.
• Provides recovery education, skill-building, modeling, and mentoring to promote recovery, independence, self-advocacy, effective communication, and crisis management skills.
• Attends meetings to support clients in navigating and actively participating in planning treatment and services.
• Provides individualized coaching in the client’s home or in the community based on client-identified needs.
• Conducts skill-building activities that promote independence in regards to maintaining housing, managing finances, employment, effective communication, healthy relationships, harm reduction strategies, health and wellness, etc.
• Assists clients to access community-based resources, services, and learning opportunities.
• Assists clients to enrich personal relationships and community connections and build natural support systems.
• Assists clients to resolve practical barriers to treatment engagement such as transportation, scheduling, and child care.
• Coordinates and facilitates client and family support groups.
• Provides intensive support during periods of crisis and post-emergency department/ hospital discharge crisis stabilization and care coordination.
• Participates in all required training and pursues additional training opportunities.
• Participates in regular staff meetings, case reviews, and supervision as part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintains timely, complete, and accurate record documentation including assessments, service goals, progress notes, etc.
• Maintains self in a professional manner at all times, adhering to New York State Office of Mental Health guidelines, Neighborhood Center policy and procedures, and keeping with the Agency’s mission statement, as well as relevant professional standards.
• Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working.
• Performs other duties as requested by Agency Administration.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Identify as being actively in recovery from a mental health condition and intentionally self-disclose one’s mental health recovery journey;
• Ability to foster effective, professional partnerships with diverse populations and be committed to supporting and empowering recovery.
• Ability to maintain satisfactory expectations for timeliness and accuracy in the performance of the job functions.
• Ability to work independently with good time management skills.
• Ability to function as an interdisciplinary team member using a collaborative team approach.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Computer skills including the use of email, Word, Excel, and the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Ability to work in a variety of settings including the clinic, clients’ homes, hospitals, and other community settings.
• Possesses a current and valid New York State Driver’s License and has reliable transportation.
• High School Diploma/Equivalency Diploma and a minimum of two (2) years of related experience in the Mental Health field required.
• Provisional certification as a New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS-P) by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB) is preferred at the time of hire or must be obtained within three months.
• Professional Credentials must be obtained within 18 months of receiving Provisional Credentials, or within acceptable limits as determined by this agency.
• Certifications must be renewed every two (2) years and include completion of required peer specialist training.