Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources / Liberty POST•Rochester, NY

13d•$20 - $21

About The Position

Peer Specialist Position Summary: The Peer Specialist will provide immediate Peer support at the time of initial engagement and throughout the participant’s time in this program. The primary goal of the Peer Specialist is to utilize their own lived experience with addiction, homelessness and/or mental health, their long‑term sustained recovery expertise, and Peer training to serve as a support and resource for the participant’s own recovery. The Peer Specialist will also play an essential role in supporting individuals within the unhoused population by engaging them with compassion, reducing barriers to services, and assisting them in navigating available housing and community resources. The Peer Specialist will be trained in Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma‑Informed Care, Health Literacy, Narcan, Person‑Centered Practices, Housing First, and Co‑Occurring Disorder Integrated Care.

Requirements

HS Diploma required.
Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model with one to two years of personal recovery experience, is preferred.
It is preferred that the individual is certified as a Certified Peer Specialist through the Academy of Peer Services training program and has a respect for, and high level of comfort around people experiencing mental health, medical, or substance related crisis.
If the candidate is not certified as a CPS, they agree to complete the process to become a CPS.
Candidate must self-identify as a current or former recipient of mental health, substance abuse, or medical services with a willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
The ability to understand, support and operate from a strength-based approach; display professionalism in all settings; recognize the importance and benefits of relationship-building and collaborating with other service providers.
The ability to solve complex problems using creative solutions and act consistently in a manner that demonstrates dignity and respect for participants.
The ability to de-escalate participants in times of crisis.

Responsibilities

The Peer Specialist will provide information about recovery support services in the community and support linkage to the participant’s chosen supports.
The Peer Specialist coordinates services and develops relationships in the community to improve individuals' ability to access and/or maintain health care, insurance and housing.
By using identified best practices, procedures and methods, the Peer Specialist provides Peer support, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma informed care as a means to facilitate access to health services and improve the health status of participants.
The Peer Support Specialist will provide support guided by the values of the Peer Model. These values include; recovery-oriented, person-centered, relationship-focused, trauma-informed, instilling hope, appropriate self‐disclosure, mutuality, person‐first language, self‐determination, empowerment, many pathways and styles of recovery, fostering independence, utilizes strength‐based approach, addressing stigma & oppression, providing stage of change appropriate support, participant choice, and advocacy.
The Peer Support Specialist will conduct street outreach with the outreach team with the aim of producing referrals for this program.
The Peer Support Specialist will regularly check on the crisis apartments and clients associated with this program.
Documentation that is timely and follows best practice guidelines around record keeping.
Demonstrate effective communication with the entire team to support the collaborative approach.
Values service, excellence, and responsibility, seeing opportunities where others see barriers to success. We strive to create and sustain an inclusive environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging.
Identifies and reports on Untoward Incidents as required.
Participates in and complete all required trainings.
Carries out agency policies and procedures.
Performs other duties, responsibilities and related tasks as assigned.