Peer Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Must have a valid CRPA certification.
• High school diploma or equivalent OR Associate Degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field. OR Bachelor’s Degree in social work, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or related human services field.
• High school diploma or equivalent requires three (3) years of work experience with disabled adults.
• Associate degree requires two (2) years of work experience with disabled adults.
• Bachelor’s degree requires one (1) year work experience with disabled adults.
• Must pass a background check conducted by the Erie County Sherriff’s Office.
• The applicant must be a current or former consumer of behavioral health services.
• Must have intermediate level of knowledge of computers including the use of Excel spreadsheets, databases, word processing and networks.

Nice To Haves

• Professional and life experience may be considered in lieu of, in full or part of academic credentials.

Responsibilities

• Meet individuals admitted to the emergency room, for substance use disorders, and inform them about recovery and sharing personal recovery stories.
• Responsible, when on call, to respond to calls from the answering service in a timely manner not to exceed a 24-hour time frame.
• Provide Peer counseling to individuals to assist in making informed decisions regarding seeking help with substance use disorder.
• Provide information and referral to individual and family supporters in navigating services available to prevent re-occurrence.
• Be a liaison with hospital, treatment, family and community providers in linking individuals to proper support in the community, once discharged, avoiding future substance abuse episodes.
• Provide immediate follow-through, once discharged from the hospital, in making initial contact with positive community and/or medical supports.
• Provide peer support during times when traditional treatment services are unavailable, which includes after business hours, weekends, and some holidays.
• Develop individual services plans/Independent Living plans with individuals seeking ongoing supports.
• Provide in custody peer support by offering individual and group sessions, delivering recovery coaching, educating participants on MAT and harm ‑ reduction practices, and facilitating Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery groups.
• Coordinate closely with medical, behavioral health, and custody staff to ensure continuity of care for individuals initiating or continuing MAT while incarcerated.
• Engage individuals prior to release to establish recovery goals and support reentry planning related to treatment, housing, employment, benefits, and other needed services.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to community-based MAT providers and recovery supports, including scheduling appointments and arranging referrals prior to release when possible.
• Provide post release peer support through check ‑ ins, and ongoing recovery coaching during the critical 30 to 90 ‑ day transition period, while maintaining coordination with community MAT and recovery organizations
• Accurately document consumer services and required paperwork in Western New York Independent Living, Inc.’s (WNYIL’s) Electronic Consumer Record (ECR) within two (2) working days of the date of service.
• Facilitate at least two (2) Community Forums per month, throughout Erie County, in addressing the needs of dealing with substance use disorders.
• Provide Naloxone training throughout the community.
• Provide the peer perspective to professional providers and family in an effort to understand the perspective of the individual being served.
• Be a liaison and advocate with existing medical and community supports.
• Attend Agency’s in-service training and staff meetings as well as any other Agency-related activities as instructed.
• Participate in maintaining a neat, clean, and safe work environment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Agency provided group health insurance.
• Vision, dental, life, and supplemental insurances available.
• PTO and paid holiday package.
• 403(b) retirement with Agency match.
• Employee Assistance Program