Peer Support Specialist

HF Management Services•New York, NY

24d

About The Position

As a member of the Behavioral Health Care Management Team, the Peer Support Specialist uses lived experience to model recovery and support Healthfirst members experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders. The role works directly with members in field-based settings and by telephone, supporting person-centered care, identifying resources, facilitating connections to care, and helping members develop skills to navigate the health care system. The specialist collaborates with members’ support systems and interdisciplinary treatment teams to encourage engagement in services, empower members, and reduce barriers to change. The role may include supporting recovery planning, administering questionnaires, retrieving documentation, facilitating contact with a Healthfirst Care Manager for additional assessments, and providing translation services when needed and able. Regular community-based field visits include hospital, facility, and home visits throughout downstate New York. The position manages a designated caseload, conducts multiple geographically clustered field visits per day, and handles outreach and incoming calls when not in the field. It coordinates care with providers and community resources, documents encounters in appropriate systems, and supports member care plans and health goals. Occasional overtime may be necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification or Provisional Certification as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate.
Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload and work effectively within a team in a fast-paced environment.
Work experience requiring effective communication and engagement skills, as well as healthy boundary-setting.
Proficient computer skills, including a solid understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Ability to travel around downstate New York, including the five boroughs, Long Island, Orange County, and Westchester.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and one or more of Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese; these languages are highly preferred.
Prior experience in a field-based health care role; home-visit experience is a plus.
Experience using health information systems to document and/or retrieve information.
Experience with geriatric or other at-risk populations, including their caregivers.
Experience in hospital or facility discharge planning.
Experience managing member information in a shared network environment using paperless database modules and archival systems.
Familiarity with areas of New York City, Long Island, and/or lower Westchester.
A valid New York State driver’s license or ID.

Responsibilities

Manage a designated caseload of members who may benefit from peer support, care coordination, and health navigation.
Schedule and conduct multiple field-based visits per day, clustered by geographic area.
Complete assessments and questionnaires to identify barriers and opportunities for intervention.
Make outreach calls and receive calls from members about benefit questions or issues, care coordination, program inquiries, and connecting with their care manager.
Generate referrals to providers, community-based resources, appropriate services, and other resources that support members’ goals and health outcomes.
Liaise with doctors, social workers, discharge planners, and community-based providers to coordinate care and address care needs.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary health care team to address care needs in members’ care plans and promote person-centered treatment.
Execute member care plans and support member goal achievement and coordination with local supports.
Document encounters with providers, members, and vendors in appropriate systems according to established procedures.
Support recovery planning, which may include administering questionnaires, retrieving documentation, and facilitating contact with a Healthfirst Care Manager for other assessments.
Provide translation services to the Healthfirst Care Management Team when needed and able.
Make community-based visits, including hospital, facility, and home visits around downstate New York.
Work occasional overtime as necessary.
Perform additional duties as assigned.