Peer Specialist

Liberty Resources / Liberty POST•Syracuse, NY

16h•Onsite

About The Position

We are searching for a passionate and motivated Peer Specialist to work in our Onondaga Crisis Residence Program. Liberty Resources has 4 Crisis Residence locations with 3-8 beds in Syracuse, Oneida, Oswego, and Auburn. The respite homes are community based residential programs that provide a therapeutic environment for adults experiencing a mental health crisis. The program provides Peer Support Services utilizing individuals with a history of lived experience with mental health challenges and a willingness to share their story as well as Crisis Support Staff who have extensive experience in the field. The staff provides services including but not limited to health and wellness coaching, reoccurrence prevention planning, wellness activities, family support, conflict resolution, and referrals and linkage services. The goal is to stabilize crisis to support a guest’s safe return to their community and to provide preventive measures for reducing un-necessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Our employees have passion around the services they provide and our corporate values of excellence and staff support. We pride ourselves on high quality, integrated, community-based services that meet the evolving needs of our communities. We’re committed to building a diverse workforce that values contributions of all team members and work to recognize cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and how they apply to provision of positive health outcomes. The Peer Support Specialist provides support to individuals enrolled in Supportive Crisis Residence who are experiencing challenges in daily life that create risk for an escalation of symptoms that cannot be managed in the individual’s home and community environment. Through the use of Recovery Oriented Services, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing and Intentional Peer Support, the Peer Support Specialist will provide guests recovery support, health and wellness coaching, reoccurrence prevention planning, wellness activities, family support, conflict resolution, and any other responsibilities related to the operations of a Supportive Crisis Residence.

Requirements

Have personal experience as a recipient of mental health services with a willingness to share personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program guests.
Certified by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) as a Certified Peer Specialist or willing to complete the certification process within six months of employment.
Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
A respect for, compassion and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
The ability to understand, support and operate from a strength-based recovery-oriented model; 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 peers,
The ability to de-escalate in times of crisis

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Provide required services to guests enrolled in the Supportive Crisis Residence as outlined in 14 NYCRR XIII Part 589, including: assistance in personal care and activities of daily living, peer support, engagement, safety planning, integration of direct care and support services, case management, medication management, and medication monitoring.
Provide peer support in fidelity with the Peer and Recovery-Oriented models of support.
Provide any needed crisis intervention, teach individuals to look at crisis differently and utilize wellness tools to prevent future crises or to decrease the intensity of personal crisis.
Work closely with Health Homes, hospitals and treatment providers through a person centered/self-directed approach to develop an integrated plan of care including mental health, physical health, substance use services, and community supports necessary for individuals to succeed in the community.
Provide advocacy, peer support, referral and linkage services for program guests as needed.
Provide coverage for the program as reflected in staffing plan, including overnights as required.
Completes all required documentation, such as Individual Service Plan, Social Determinants of Health Assessment, Strengths and Needs Assessment, Safety Planning, Daily Progress Notes, and Discharge Summary in timelines in accordance with program standards.