Peer Support Specialist - Full Time - Days

Mohawk Valley Health System•City of Utica, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist assists individuals in transitioning from the hospital back into the community with a goal of minimizing or preventing readmission to inpatient settings. Peer Support Specialists use their own lived experience to provide personalized supports to promote recovery, reduce re-hospitalization, assist with compliance of outpatient services and ensure successful transition of the patient from the hospital into the community. The Peer Support Program helps reduce isolation and stigma, provides confidence in others to be successful after their discharge, builds a supportive community, improves engagement and outcomes post discharge, improves quality of life for mental health and substance abuse patients and their functioning post-discharge, and addresses all other social determinants of health.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent education.
One (1) year active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant run organizations or similar experiences.
2 years of work experience in a community based/related role.
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
Reliable access to transportation (or a vehicle with insurance) and telephone.
NYS Certified Peer Specialist

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated support skills and enthusiasm for assisting medically underserved populations.
Bilingual
2 years of work experience in a community based/related role, preferably working with the mental health or substance abuse patient population
NYS Certified Peer Specialist
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate, or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate through OMH and OASIS.

Responsibilities

Provide peer support to health consumers, including orientation to programs, service providers, and community resources.
Encourage members, family members and caregivers to use program resources to maximize wellness and independence.
Complete and document Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
Facilitate groups related to discharge planning and transition into the community.
Assist members in carrying out tasks as defined in their treatment plans.
Conduct outreach to members missing appointments to reinforce engagement.
Attend and participate in various appointments/meetings to support and advocate for member.
May provide support in court rooms for individuals working through criminal justice matters.
Educate through shared experiences
Utilize cultural competence approach to support through personal and cultural barriers.
Report on member’s progress relative to experience in community settings to clinical team members.
Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical team members to transition the patient into the community.
Act as a coach and builds long-term, personalized and appropriately respectful peer relationships with assigned health consumers.
May travel to member homes to provide peer-level support.
Flexible to work a varied schedule and travel to patient homes or appointments within the region.
Perform other duties as required.