Peer Advocate

Evergreen Health•Buffalo, NY

6d•$45,000 - $50,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Specialist/Advocate is an individual who uses their knowledge acquired through lived experience related to mental health, to support the goals of individuals who are impacted by mental health symptoms. Peer support services are defined by OMH as “services that support the individual in their desire or lack of desire to participate in treatment, using motivational interventions, ultimately with the aim to help the individual decide for themselves if and how to participate in treatment.”

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
OMH New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or willing to complete within 60 – 90 days.
Working knowledge of electronic medical records preferred.
Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally.
Demonstrate personal responsibility and integrity.
Ability to handle Protected Health Information (PHI) in a manner consistent with HIPAA a must.
Awareness of and sensitivity to the issues and health disparities faced by underserved populations is essential.

Responsibilities

Coaches participants and modeling shared decision-making and other skills which support collaboration.
Proves opportunities to self-advocate and using a strengths-based approach and interventions.
Relates their own recovery stories, sharing personal recovery practices, and helping individuals discover recovery practices that will work for them.
Provides recovery education and self-help linkage for individuals and their family members.
Engages with individuals who are considering changing behaviors and/or entering treatment, both onsite and in the community.
Provides outreach, advocacy, mentoring and recovery services to those seeking support.