Recovery Sr. Peer Mentor – Full Time

Title: Senior Peer Mentor

Department: Behavioral Health

Reports To: Director, Peer Services

Location: Next Step Resource & Recovery Center; 56 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $37,000-39,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications; excellent benefits package

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers by feeding people who are hungry, healing families broken apart by violence, and bridging the gaps between people and the compassionate health care they deserve. CHASI serves the most vulnerable individuals, families, and communities with critical services and programs. CHASI provides outreach, education, prevention, and direct support services for populations most affected by health disparities – the poor and working poor, low income people with chronic illnesses, persons with criminal justice involvement, substance users, domestic violence survivors, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Peer Mentor provides outreach, engagement, and accompaniment to individuals and families using Next Step programs on-site as well as in the community. The Senior Peer Mentor engages individuals at police precincts who have been arrested for low-level drug-related charges in order to provide information and encourage participation in the HOPE early diversion program, train on and dispense naloxone (Narcan), and help individuals link to resource and recovery centers for HOPE program enrollment. The Senior Peer Mentor also engages individuals who have survived an opioid overdose at partnering hospital emergency rooms to provide support, collaborate on tailored strategies to reduce future overdose, train on and dispense naloxone, and assist with connection to any needed community-based services. The Senior Peer Mentor conducts telephone and office-based follow up with individuals recently seen in the precinct or the hospital.

***Full Time Positions available for the following shift(s): Tuesday-Saturday, 8 am-4 pm***

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

HOPE Program

• Reply rapidly to activations from the Richmond County District Attorney (RCDA) to meet an individual arrested for a charge making them eligible for early criminal justice diversion into the HOPE Program being processed at one of Staten Island’s four NYPD precincts
• Travel to the identified NYPD precinct within 30 minutes of notification and inform RCDA of delays
• Obtain relevant background information related to the charges from the arresting officer
• Upon release from police custody, meet with the arrested individual at the precinct to discuss the HOPE Program information video; review the program’s design, potential benefits of participation, and requirements for participation; answer questions; appropriately share lived experience to promote engagement and initial discussion of drug use; and encourage participation in HOPE
• Provide naloxone (Narcan) training and distribution to all HOPE-eligible individuals met at precinct
• Determine individual’s initial decision about HOPE participation and develop a next steps plan to be taken by individual based on their decision
• Promote completion of the HOPE enrollment and assessment process immediately following the precinct meeting and accompany individual to Next Step center if individual is agreeable
• Under the direction of the HOPE Coordinator, follow up with individuals who have not yet visited a resource and recovery center to complete the initial assessment before their arraignment date
• Under the direction of the HOPE Coordinator, follow up with individuals who have enrolled in HOPE at least two times in the 30 days post-enrollment to promote their achievement of meaningful engagement in the program

Relay Overdose Response Initiative

• Receive and reply rapidly to notifications from participating hospital emergency room when notified of an individual being treated for an opioid overdose
• Travel to partnering hospital emergency room within 45 minutes of notification to meet with, support, and engage into the Relay program the individual who has survived an opioid overdose
• Discuss Relay program benefits and service approach with each individual and explain the evaluation model and informed consent process.
• Collaborate with each individual to develop personalized strategies to reduce future opioid overdose risk, including discussion of safer drug using behaviors
• Partner with the Emergency Department Warm Handoff Recovery Coach to address the service needs agreed to by each individual, which may include substance use treatment, harm reduction, benefits, or other supportive services
• Provide each individual and any accompanying friends/family members with naloxone (Narcan) kit and training or ensure its provision by emergency department staff
• Arrange with each individual a 24-48 hour follow up plan

Next Step Recovery Community Center Services

• Welcome and engage individuals who are seeking assessment and linkage to services responsive to their individual needs and readiness for change
• Provide overview of on-site services and orient Recovery Center members to program guidelines
• Conduct naloxone (Narcan) training and dispensing
• Accompany participants to other provider sites to provide support and navigation assistance
• Reach out to participants to follow up on referrals made and to reengage them into programming
• Facilitate on-site recovery-oriented groups or social activities, as assigned
• Assist with community outreach and program promotion to inform the public of available resource and recovery center service
• Align all activities with CHASI’s mission, core values, and culture
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or high school equivalency required
• Recovery Coach Certification or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) required. Individuals currently holding a Certified Alcohol and Addiction Counselor (CASAC) or CASAC-Trainee may be considered but must complete Recovery Coach or CRPA programs within 90 days of hire
• Candidates with lived experience with recovery (self or close relations) highly preferred
• Must be able to complete all required background clearances within 90 days of hire

Please Note: As a public health organization, Community Health Action of Staten Island is now requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a qualified medical exemption; if selected for the role you must have at least one dose of the vaccine to begin employment. 

CHASI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and supporting a diverse staff. People of color, LGBTQ, women, and people with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.