AOT Peer Counselor, Mental Health-Assisted Out Treatment

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

1d

About The Position

The Bureau of Mental Health's (BMH) mission is to improve mental health and wellness for people in New York City, and to eliminate racial and other long-standing societal disparities by providing services, resources, and opportunities to New Yorkers that are grounded in accurate, data-driven information that fosters community participation, thus reducing the stigma around mental health.

Requirements

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent; and
• Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized peer counselor/specialist training program which meets the training requirements for a Peer Advocacy Organization as mandated by the State of New York Office of Mental Health in their Official Policy Manual. The training program must be at least six months in duration; or
• One year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in a related human services area.
• One additional year of experience as described in three (3) above for Assignment Level II
• Two additional years of experience as described in three (3) above for Assignment Level III

Nice To Haves

• Graduate of a Peer Specialist training program and two or more years of relevant work experience in a mental health setting. New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) Certification preferred; consideration will be given to candidates pursuing certification.
• Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college preferred.
• Must possess strong, organization, and communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and populations, as well as honor contributions and strengths of all cultures.
• Knowledge of recovery and consumer support and social networks.
• Ability to work effectively with people and resolve conflict.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist professional staff with referrals to specific individual and group treatment activities, by helping to prepare treatment plans and legal documents required for the pursuit of a court order of Assisted Outpatient Treatment.
• Collaborate and interface with mental health providers and families to make referrals and support consumers in the referral process and assist in monitoring both the client and the service providers' engagement and adherence to the treatment plan through case conferences and other interactions which may include suggesting alternative referrals as well as following up with consumers who have missed appointments for AOT exam or the treatment plan services.
• Ensure all service providers serving a consumer effectively communicate to maximize the ability of consumers to successfully engage in treatment.
• Greet and engage consumers, their families, and mental health service providers at the exam site who have appointments for a psychiatric exam to determine whether or not an AOT court order will be pursued.
• Utilize your lived mental health experience to model recovery, provide hope, and promote recovery-based services to assist individuals under an AOT order with obtaining services to support their recovery needs.
• Serve as non-judgmental support to whom the individual can discuss concerns and collaboratively problem solve ways in which AOT can better be part of their recovery.
• Assist consumers in seeking clarification about the treatment and recovery process.
• Prepare simple reports on the observed consumer behavior.
• Link consumers with peer support and social support networks by reaching out to other organizations that can provide assistance and developing a resource file of community agencies and programs offering services needed by the clients.
• Participate and contribute to AOT team meetings as assigned and all-staff meetings as a representative voice for consumers.
• Educate AOT staff about peer services and needs.
• Participate in recovery community events to obtain information and resources for consumers and staff.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working with treatment team members and various assignments.
• Participate in Bureau workgroups and special projects as needed.
• Perform related clerical tasks.

Benefits

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program and
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees