Peer Specialist - Safe Options Support

Elm & Oak Health•Elmira, NY

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Peer Specialist provides Safe Options Support (SOS) to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Chemung County area. The role involves community outreach, care coordination before and after participants move from the street into housing, support with daily living skills, accompaniment to appointments, and advocacy when members face discrimination or healthcare inequities. Member choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility, and person-centered care are central to the program model. This is a full-time, work-from-home position that requires significant, regular travel throughout Chemung County. The Peer Specialist works with members, hospitals, regional partners, housing providers, and community service providers to identify needs, connect participants with resources, support housing transitions, and help members manage and retain supportive housing. The role also includes documenting care plans and progress, reporting program data, and participating in team meetings and supervision. The position cannot perform tasks governed by a license or registration, transport active Elm & Oak Health members, or provide hands-on care.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent or higher.
Experience providing advocacy services to people who are mentally ill and/or homeless.
Knowledge of homeless resources, shelter systems, and transportation systems.
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 recipients or residents, families, and staff.
Ability to develop, evaluate, implement, and modify treatment interventions to meet individual needs.
Ability to prepare accurate and timely reports.
Ability to respect individual and family diversity and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work as a team member and collaboratively with providers and county or community health and human services.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and manage time appropriately.
Strong organizational skills and computer literacy.
Must pass computer documentation competency testing for program software platforms within three months of initial training and/or six months of hire, whichever comes first.
NYS driver’s license and ownership of or access to reliable transportation for job travel, including daily member visits.
Must be willing to travel regularly throughout Chemung County.
Cannot perform tasks governed by a license or registration, transport active Elm & Oak Health members, or provide hands-on care.

Nice To Haves

NYS Certified Peer Specialist certification, or completion of an internship or comparable training in peer advocacy.

Responsibilities

Conduct persistent, assertive, strength-based outreach and engagement in community locations and during inpatient hospital or emergency department visits.
Assess participants’ health and social needs using conversational and observational assessments and formal risk assessment tools when appropriate.
Participate in hospital discharge planning to identify community resources for returning members.
Assist with appointment navigation, including accompaniment, transportation training, re-engagement in community care, and addressing barriers to care.
Review documentation and conduct psychosocial assessments of members’ medical, psychiatric, housing, and other social needs.
Obtain historical and collateral information from multiple sources to support members’ behavioral and physical health needs.
Monitor, evaluate, and document participants’ progress toward care plan goals while adhering to professional boundaries and protocols.
Collaborate with regional partners to identify housing and support members with applications, interview preparation, provider follow-up, moving in, obtaining supplies, and learning about the neighborhood.
Work with housed members and housing providers to resolve clinical issues affecting members’ ability to manage and retain supportive housing.
Build relationships with community providers to connect members with appropriate services as they transition back into the community.
Document person-centered care plans in collaboration with clients and providers.
Collect and report data, and collaborate with the team leader and SOS staff to use data to inform care delivery.
Maintain required program documentation in the Electronic Health Record and provide program information to members, providers, and other organizations as requested.
Communicate professionally with members and community providers, give providers feedback on member progress and barriers, and use listening skills to support engagement and person-centered planning.
Perform other assigned duties and attend team meetings and supervisory sessions.