Peer Advocate
About The Position
Bleuler Psychotherapy Center is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) to join our multidisciplinary team. This role is ideal for an individual with lived experience in recovery who is passionate about helping others navigate their own recovery journey and access the resources needed to achieve meaningful, sustainable wellness. As a CRPA, you will serve as a trusted mentor, advocate, and role model for individuals receiving services at Bleuler Psychotherapy Center. Working closely with clinical staff, community providers, and program participants, you will provide recovery-oriented support, strengthen engagement in treatment, promote self-advocacy, and connect individuals to essential community resources. Your lived experience and recovery expertise will help foster hope, resilience, and long-term recovery success for diverse populations across our programs.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Completion of all required CRPA training, including 30 hours of Recovery Coach Training and 16 hours of Peer Ethics Training
- Current New York Certification Board (NYCB) Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) credential or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P)
- Lived experience in substance use recovery with the ability to effectively utilize personal recovery experiences in a professional setting
- Knowledge of substance use disorder recovery principles and recovery support services
- Understanding of the criminal justice system and challenges faced by justice-involved individuals
- Strong interpersonal, communication, advocacy, and engagement skills
- Ability to establish rapport and maintain a nonjudgmental, strengths-based approach with participants
- Knowledge of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and its role in recovery
- Proficiency in the Twelve Core Functions and recovery-oriented practices
- Experience working with diverse populations across varying cultural, socioeconomic, and identity backgrounds
- Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation requirements
- Computer proficiency and ability to utilize Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
- Must successfully complete all required background checks and screenings, including NYS Justice Center, Staff Exclusion List (SEL), Medicaid Exclusion List, and any applicable regulatory clearances
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations while maintaining professionalism and ethical boundaries
- Commitment to confidentiality, participant dignity, and recovery-oriented practices
- Ability to travel within the community, as needed, to support outreach and linkage to services
Nice To Haves
- At least one year of volunteer or paid experience in a recovery-oriented setting preferred
- Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates strongly encouraged to apply
Responsibilities
- Provide peer-based recovery support by sharing relevant lived experiences and recovery strategies that promote hope and wellness
- Build supportive relationships with participants and encourage engagement in treatment and recovery services
- Collaborate with clinical staff and interdisciplinary team members to support participants in achieving treatment and recovery goals
- Provide non-clinical crisis support and assist participants in navigating challenges that may impact recovery
- Teach recovery skills and self-management strategies based on personal recovery experience and evidence-based recovery principles
- Engage individuals during pre-admission and treatment entry processes, particularly following hospitalization, incarceration, or other critical life transitions
- Assist participants in accessing medical, behavioral health, financial, legal, housing, vocational, and social support services
- Provide outreach services to individuals who may benefit from treatment and recovery support programs
- Coordinate referrals and connect participants with community-based resources and recovery-oriented services
- Share information regarding benefits, entitlements, recovery supports, and community resources
- Coordinate care with Health Homes and other service providers for eligible participants
- Facilitate presentations and educational outreach to hospitals, community organizations, criminal justice settings, and other referral sources
- Communicate participant progress and identified needs to assigned clinical staff to ensure continuity of care
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) within 24 hours of service delivery
- Participate in supervision, staff meetings, required trainings, and professional development activities
- Adhere to agency policies, regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and Bleuler Psychotherapy Center's mission and treatment philosophy
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Clinic Supervisor
Benefits
- Ongoing supervision, training, and professional development opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
