Peer Specialist - Safe Options Support

Monroe Plan for Medical Care•Corning, NY

6d•$39,123 - $47,817•Remote

About The Position

Make a meaningful difference where it matters most. At Monroe Plan, we're committed to supporting vulnerable communities through compassionate, person-centered care. We are currently seeking a Care Manager to join our team in the Steuben County area, with a dedicated focus on individuals experiencing homelessness. In this role, you'll go beyond traditional case management - working hands-on to coordinate care, advocate for essential services, and help restore stability and dignity to those most at risk. If you're driven by purpose and ready to be part of a collaborative, mission-led team, we invite you to explore this impactful opportunity. For over 50 years, Monroe Plan for Medical Care, a not-for-profit health care services organization, has been focused on improving the health status of individuals and families who are recipients of government sponsored health insurance. Monroe Plan is the largest Care Management Agencies serving 28 counties and over 3000 members with an outstanding reputation for excellence throughout our service area! We’ve earned that reputation by providing quality care management focused on compassion, empowerment, and teamwork. Our award-winning work culture is built on these same principles! When you join our team, you can expect to reap the intrinsic rewards of serving others while enjoying flexible work arrangements, competitive pay, superior benefits, and a supportive, inclusive culture! Candidate must be willing to travel throughout Steuben County on a regular basis. Grade 206: This is a full time position, working from home, but does require significant travel throughout Steuben County. The minimum and maximum annual salary that Monroe Plan believes in good faith to be accurate for this position at the time of this posting are $39,123 - $47,817. In addition to your salary, Monroe Plan offers a comprehensive benefits package (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements) and non-monetary perks. The company is fully committed to ensuring equal pay opportunities for equal work regardless of gender, race, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local pay equity laws. POSITION SUMMARY The Peer Specialist’s role will involve community outreach on the streets, coordinating participants’ needs before and after their move from street to home, enhancing their daily living skills, accompaniment to appointments, and advocating on their behalf when faced with discrimination or healthcare inequities. Member choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility and person-centered care are essential elements of the Safe Options Support (SOS) program model and should be front and center of the care delivered by the Peer Specialist.

Requirements

Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent or higher.
NYS Certified Peer Specialist preferred or required completion of an internship or comparable training in peer advocacy.
Experience in providing advocacy services to people who are mentally ill and/or homeless.
Knowledge of homeless resources, shelter systems and transportation systems.
Knowledge of counseling principles and methods for mental illness and substance use disorders.
Knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to recipient/residents, families, and staff.
Ability to develop, evaluate, implement, and modify treatment intervention to meet the needs of individual recipients.
Ability to prepare accurate and timely reports.
Demonstrates ability to respect individual/family diversity and maintain confidentiality.
Demonstrates ability to work as a team member.
Knowledge of and ability to work collaboratively with providers and county/community health and human services.
Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills both oral and written as well as strong interpersonal skills.
Proven ability to work independently and to manage time appropriately.
Strong organizational skills.
Computer literate.
Must be able to pass computer documentation competency testing for all software platforms used within the program. This must occur within 3months of initial training and/or 6 months of hire, whichever comes first.
Candidates will need a NYS driver’s license and to own or have access to reliable transportation that enables them to fulfill travel requirements of the job including but not limited to, daily visits with members.

Responsibilities

Outreach and Engagement Persistent and assertive outreach and engagement using strength-based approaches beginning either at known “hang-outs” or “hot spots” within the local communities or during an inpatient hospital admission or emergency department visit.
Continuously assess the health and social needs of participants through SOS’s conversational and observational assessments and formalized risk assessment tools for those identified as being at high risk.
Participate in hospital discharge planning meetings to identify the best community resources for returning members.
Assist with appointment navigation including accompaniment to appointments, transportation training, re-engagement in community care, and addressing barriers to care.
Review documentation and conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to determine the medical, psychiatric, housing, and other social needs of the member within the community.
Obtain historical and collateral information from multiple sources to support members behavioral and physical health needs.
Monitor, evaluate, and record participants progress with respect to care plan goals.
Adheres to Monroe Plan professional boundaries and protocols.
Work in collaboration with the regional partners to identify available housing and to support participants through the process.
Tasks may include applying for housing, prepping for interviews, follow up with housing providers, and assistance with moving in (day of move) and with obtaining housing supplies and learning about the neighborhood.
Participate in hospital discharge planning meetings to identify the best community resources for returning members.
Once housed, work with members and their housing providers to resolve clinical issues that are impacting the member’s ability to manage and retain supportive housing.
Foster relationships with community providers to ensure that members are connected with appropriate services as they transition back into the community.
Document a Person-Centered Care Plan, in collaboration with the client and providers
Collect and report data, as required and work with team leader and other SOS staff to use data to inform future care delivery.
Adhere to program documentation requirements in the Electronic Health Record.
Provide program information to members and providers, and other organizations as requested to introduce and support program participation.
Presents in a professional and articulate manner that supports the development of a therapeutic relationship with the member and community providers.
Provide feedback to providers regarding the progress made and barriers encountered by their members.
Demonstrates listening skills to support member engagement and development of a person-centered plan of care.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Attend and participate in team meetings and supervisory sessions.