CRPA Peer Specialist

The Jewish Board•New York, NY

About The Position

The Jewish Board’s Community Behavioral Health treatment programs provide compassionate, high quality, evidence-based services to individuals and families in the communities we serve. Our staff use a culturally competent, person centered approach to help individuals and their families develop skills and resources to improve overall functioning, to instill hope, and to strengthen resiliency. Our programs work closely with community partners to address health disparities in our neighborhoods while also celebrating the strengths and resiliency of our communities. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Peer Specialist engages participants in peer-based services to identify and overcome barriers to engagement in treatment and community integration. The Peer Specialist supports client linkage and engagement with identified onsite providers and community providers and ensures that the client’s support networks are sufficient to meet their needs. The Peer Specialist utilizes a peer relationship to foster connection, trust, understanding and validation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Provisional Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate required.
Experience providing advocacy services to people who have substance use disorders.
Past or current participant of substance use disorders services.
Demonstrated ability to effectively use one’s personal story and role model recovery in a way that promotes personal growth and empowerment
Knowledge of behavioral health systems, substance use disorders legislation and regulations, and health conditions
Ability to manage multiple projects and ask for help when needed
Ability to participate on a team to accomplish tasks
Serve as a role model to clients, staff, and stakeholders
Ability to work with all stakeholders: clients, providers, and families in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences
Knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to clients and their families
Knowledge of techniques for identifying risk for relapse, risk of harm to self/others, including crisis management techniques
Must be able to document notes in electronic health record.
Must be able to be proficient in computer skills to use Outlook for reading and sending e-mails, setting up appointments, utilize Microsoft TEAMS for meetings virtually.
Must be able to travel throughout NYC on public transportation, carry laptop and MIFI, be able to type using a laptop and/or stationary computer.

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual Spanish a plus but not required.
Lived experience with substance use, work or volunteer experience with clients struggling with substance use issues

Responsibilities

Individual sessions with clients may include helping them deal with issues associated with (but not limited to) substance abuse, mental health treatment, family and social relationships; stress and symptom management; activities of daily living; medication management; and independent living or supported housing
Provide emotional and practical support to clients as they engage in treatment
Foster and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships with onsite multidisciplinary team as well as community providers
Advocate with and for program clients to achieve personal goals and address barriers such as fear, stigma and communication disparities with providers and community supports
Attend and participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and supervisory sessions
Work with client and multidisciplinary team to assist client toward achieving their treatment plan goals
Monitor and record client’s progress and modify plan according to needs and preference
Comply with all required in-service training and staff development
Document and track resources and client progress
Meets all deadlines for progress/informational notes in electronic health record, fidelity reports, and other documentation obligations
Perform other related duties as assigned