Respite Worker - PD

Community Access • New York, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Community Access is a pioneer in supportive housing and social services for individuals with mental health concerns in NYC. The Residential Crisis Support program, also known as “The Respite,” is a residential mental health crisis alternative-to-hospitalization program. It offers short-term, Peer-led care in a supportive, home-like environment. Guests are empowered to learn and practice recovery and relapse prevention skills to manage their current mental health crisis and develop tools to cope with future crises, thereby avoiding hospital-based care. Recovery-oriented services are available 24/7, including peer support, self-advocacy education, and self-help training. The program supports guests in maintaining their daily activities, such as social visits, medical appointments, work, or school. Guests are encouraged to participate in the residence's operations, including communal meal preparation. The maximum length of stay is 28 days.

Requirements

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
• A respect for and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented practice and the ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
• NYS Peer Certification, or provisional level within 90 days of hire and full certification within one year of hire.
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Available to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends and cover holidays as assigned.
• Able to navigate several flights of stairs repeatedly during shift.

Nice To Haves

• Previous professional experience in the behavioral health field.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Providing individual and group-based supports to guests.
• Meal planning and preparation.
• Processing and preparing for referrals, intakes, and discharges.
• Ensuring assigned guests have one progress note per day reflecting appropriate peer support.
• Entering all documentation within 48 hours of the contact.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED