Peer Specialist I

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

4d•$50,000•Hybrid

About The Position

OnTrackNY is an innovative treatment program that serves adolescents and young adults who are within 2 years of experiencing the onset of non-affective psychosis. The Peer Specialist works closely with all members of the small multidisciplinary team in an integrated way providing coordinated engagement and support in the earliest stages of illness. The Peer Specialist is a resource for the client and their family, coordinating meetings and working with the client within a shared decision-making framework. The Peer Specialist delivers assertive outreach and engagement strategies for clients and families, case management, as well as supportive interventions. The Peer Specialist uses their lived experience and unique perspective to contribute to treatment planning for each participant, remaining youth-driven and facilitating the team's development and maintenance of a culture of respect and shared decision making. The Peer Specialist can provide an essential framework for highlighting the potential that each participant has for achieving a successful recovery trajectory. In addition to attending team meetings, Peer Specialists work directly with other team members to provide support and assistance to program participants. Under the supervision of the OnTrackNY Team Leader, they provide direct peer support services to program participants in any setting that would be helpful – at the OnTrackNY program site, in the community, or in the hospital.

Requirements

NYS Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Peer Specialist - Provisional.
Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and effectively work with participants in mental health services.
Active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support, peer advocacy programs, participant-run organizations, or similar experiences.
Ability/willingness to disclose their experiences of mental health services for empowerment.
A willingness to work outside of the office setting, in the community, and in the homes of participants.
Excellent judgment and ability to understand boundaries when working with participants of mental health services.

Nice To Haves

It is preferable that the individual's lived experience of mental health challenges include experience with psychosis during his or her youth.
Preferably, a local community member, and if not, someone aware of and understands the area's culture.

Responsibilities

Outreach & Engagement: Connecting with the community, participants, and families about OnTrack NY and offering hope and support for recovery.
Relationship Building: Forming meaningful partnerships with program participants.
Embracing Creative Narratives: Expanding the understanding of the experience of "First Episode Psychosis"
Co-Creating Tools for Success: Partnering with participants and families to support developing and creating self-care and self-awareness tools.
Supporting and Partnering with Families: Working closely with a participant's family of choice.
Making OnTrack NY Better: Supporting OnTrack NY's growth and development by creating and supporting a feedback loop between participants and the team.
Bridge Building: Connecting participants and their families to needed community-based support.
Group Facilitation: Creating spaces and opportunities for participants to learn together and support one another.
Community Mapping: Learning about and connecting to community-based support and resources.
Influencing Team Culture: Utilizing lived experience and non-clinical approach to support team members' understanding.
Team Communication & Collaboration: Working as an essential multi-disciplinary team member, documenting their interactions collaboratively and communicating back to the team.
Ongoing Professional Development: Developing and honing skills to support this work.