Peer Specialist

Services for the Underserved•New York, NY

2d•$47,000 - $51,500

About The Position

The Peer Specialist’s role will involve community outreach on the streets and subways, 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 SOS program model and should be front and center of the care delivered by the Peer Specialist. Schedule: Tues-Friday 1:00-9:00 pm & Sat 10:00 am-2:00pm

Requirements

Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent or higher.
New York State 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.
Past or current participant of behavioral health, substance services or homeless services preferred.
Experience working with homeless and/or precariously housed populations preferred but not required
Knowledge of homeless resources, NYC shelter systems, and MTA transit systems a plus.
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
Computer proficiency and good documentation skills

Responsibilities

Persistent and assertive outreach and engagement using strength-based approaches beginning either at known “hang-outs” or “Hot spots” within the transit system 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 assessments tools for those identified as being at high risk
Work in collaborations with the centralized SOR Hub to identify available housing and to support participants through the process. Tasks may include completing HRA 2010e, applying for housing, prepping for interviews, follow up with housing providers, and assistance with moving in (day of move) with obtaining housing supplies and learning the neighborhood
Participate in hospital discharge planning meetings to identify the best community resources for returning patients
Collect and report data, as required and work with team leader, data analyst and other SOS teams to use data to inform future care delivery
Once housed work with participants and their housing providers to resolve clinical issues that are impacting on the participant’s ability manage, and retain supportive housing
Foster relationship with community provides to ensure that recipients are connected with appropriate services as they transition back into the community
Appointment navigation including accompaniment to appointments, travel training, reengagement 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 in the community
Obtain historical and collateral information from multiple sources to support participants behavioral and physical health needs
Monitor, evaluate and record participants progress with respect to care plan goals
Attend and participate in team meetings and supervisory sessions.
Perform other related duties as assigned.