Peer Specialist

Services For The Underserved, Inc.•New York, NY

116d•$22 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist will utilize their experience as a recipient of behavioral health services, sharing personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program enrollees. This role involves developing partnerships with guests experiencing crisis through trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, intentional peer support. The Peer Specialist will promote a safe, comfortable, secure, and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected, drawing on personal experience with the behavioral health system to focus on the guest's recovery process. They will help create a sense of community, assist with intake and registration, collaborate with community providers, facilitate educational and skill-building groups, follow up on guest progress, advocate for services, assist with ADL needs, and participate in household upkeep and meal preparation. Documentation of interactions, services, and referrals is required, along with participation in data collection, supervision, team meetings, and trainings. This position provides flexible evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage.

Requirements

A respect for, and high level of comfort around people experiencing mental health crisis
Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully
Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Nice To Haves

Work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model
Graduate of core peer specialist training program, preferred but not required at immediate hire. Must obtain within probation period.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills including empathic listening, responding
Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery
Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel
Bilingual- Spanish highly preferred

Responsibilities

Develop a partnership with guests experiencing crisis utilizing trauma-informed, recovery oriented, intentional peer support.
Promote the provision of a safe, comfortable, secure and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected by staff; practice the Intentional Peer Support IPS
Draw on knowledge and skills acquired from personal experience with the behavioral health system with a focus on guest's personal recovery process;
Create a sense of community through the mutual sharing of lived experiences and offer encouragement and support to participate in daily activities within the BCR.
Assist with pre-registration process for both individuals referred from hospitals, other treatment providers and those who self-refer;
Assist with intake and registration of new guests, including an explanation of services and expectations, a tour of the premises, introduction to other staff and guests.
Assist and collaborate with Health Home and other community provider staff when appropriate to help guests identify, plan for and realize short-term personal goals and priorities while in the Crisis Program.
Facilitate individual and group-based educational, recovery, wellness and skill building opportunities including: wellness self-management, WRAP, peer support, harm reduction, and other social or leisure activities.
Follow-up with guests to monitor and support progress toward goal-achievement
Advocate for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff.
Assist guests with taking care of their ADL needs and participate in the maintenance of a clean-living environment.
Responsible for timely and accurate documentation of interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, contacts with collaterals and referrals, as required by SUS policies and the OMH Crisis Program
Provide household upkeep duties as needed.
Support with meal preparations for guests and assist guests with accessing snacks, toiletries and food items daily and encourage guest participation.
Participate in data collection and recording related to outcomes, outreaches and other data tracking collection.
Participate in supervision, team meetings, trainings, case conferences and other relevant meetings as required by SUS.
Provides flexible evening, night, weekend and holiday coverage.