Peer Bridger

 

Title:               Peer Bridger

Division:       Peer Services

Reports to:    Ellen Healion, Director of Peer Services Division

           

 

Position Summary: Under the general supervision of the Director of the Peer Services Division, the Peer Bridger engages referred individuals who are residing in the Psychiatric Center and OMH Housing Programs.  The Peer Bridger coordinates activities to form trust-based relationships that foster hope for positive change and personal empowerment, leading to successful integration back into the community.  The Peer Bridger models and educates staff and referred individuals on the Peer Bridger Model to maintain its fidelity of the model.

The Peer Bridger is a paid staff member of NYAPRS.

 

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Maintains own personal wellness.
• Provides support with flexibility and Person First logic.
• Maintains fidelity to the Peer Bridger Model, to continue to engage individuals residing in State Psychiatric Centers and OMH residential facilities, regardless of perceived ability to participate.

• Initiate and maintain regular communications/meetings with referred individuals using multiple communication techniques including, but not limited to, the use of technology, face-to-face meetings, phone calls, e-mails, etc.
• Provide support to referred individuals that have opportunities to visit certain locations within the community that are meaningful to him/her.
• Continue support to referred individuals post-discharge to identify and engage in a range of community-based support groups and activities of interest.
• Provides timely reporting to Supervisor/Liaison of situations that require(d) urgent response.
• Is able to and does interact with a wide variety of individuals experiencing a wide variety of abilities in activities and/or group meetings.
• Organizes and coordinates activities, meetings, and training that include referred individuals.
• Provide regularly scheduled opportunities for staff information and training on the Peer Bridger Model.

• Facilitates a minimum of 8 weekly peer support group meetings in the hospital and/or the community.
• Attends training as required and assigned by supervisor.
• Communicates with OMH Hospital Liaison on a regular basis, including the NYAPRS Supervisor at times.
• Prepares and maintains a detailed written record of activities to meet documentation and reporting requirements for NYAPRS projects. (Work Logs, List of Referrals, goals of the referred individual, and progress notes demonstrating milestones met.)
• Reports to and meets with NYAPRS supervisor on a regular basis.

 

Requirements:

• NY Peer Specialist Certification or actively being pursued.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the NY State public mental health and substance use system. Lived experience with the mental health system, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advocacy, self-help, and empowerment programs for recipients of mental health and substance use services.
• Ability to convey a message of hope and recovery for people with psychiatric disabilities.
• Ability to complete basic documentation requirements regarding work activities. Good to Excellent written and oral skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and internet/email access preferred.
• Must have own vehicle, clean driving record, and adequate automobile insurance coverage.
• Flexible schedule; occasionally including evenings and weekends.

• Must reside in the service County.

Posted On: February 19, 2024