Peer Specialist

What We Provide

Referral bonus opportunities

Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays

Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability

Employer-matched retirement saving funds

Personal and financial wellness programs

Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care  and commuter transit program

Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees

Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement

Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities

Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals

What You Will Do

Conducts phone and field outreach to locate and enroll clients/consumers/members into programs services

Builds relationship and trust with clients and their family/caregiver and assists with their interactions with professionals on the team

Works collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team to discuss care needs and identify solutions to support clients/consumers/members

Applies mutually shared and lived experiences to build relationships and trust with the client/consumers/members

Educates clients/consumers/members about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques. Serves as a role model, advocate and mentor. Escorts clients/consumers/members to appointments as needed

Advocates effective recovery-based services on behalf of clients/consumers/members. Assists in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals

Teaches and models symptom management and coping skills for resilience. Empowers clients to take a proactive role in their recovery process

Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoing education, guidance, support and encouragement

Develops inventory of resources that will meet the client's needs as identified in the assessment and or-treatment process

Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect with community-based services and supports

Documents in EMR in accordance with program policies/procedures, VNS Health standards, and city, state and federal regulatory requirements

Assists clients/consumers/members with transition to alternate housing, when appropriate

Participates in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision and training programs

Develops a mutual self-disclosure between themselves and clients/consumers/members. Serves as a bridge between team members and participant

For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinical (CCBHC):

Educates clients about the different types of treatment available, including medications for addiction treatment

Helps clients identify their strengths as well as obstacles to their recovery

Assists clients with applying for benefits

Provides resources for external and post-discharge services

Participates as part of interdisciplinary team in discussion of, planning for and actively participating in treatment goals for clients/consumers/members

For IMT, ACT, MC, OMH Suicide Prevention:

Practice regularly in the community, including traveling to patients’ homes, or schools, to engage frequently with clients. Navigate emergency situations

Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required

New York Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) required

Minimum of one year experience in a mental health, substance use treatment program, health care or human services setting, preferred

Experience working with a severely mentally ill, psychological trauma, and/or substance using population, preferred

Effective oral/written/interpersonal communication and relationship building skills required

Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team

Computer literacy (electronic health records, word processing, e-mail, internet research, data entry), required

Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, preferred