Crisis Respite Peer Specialist

The Peer Specialist is an active member of the Residential Housing Division working within a community congregate care setting in which the 3 bed Crisis Respite program resides.  Peer Specialist will work closely with the program manager/supervisor and other paraprofessionals within the program. The Peer Specialist will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer supports for clients living with a mental health diagnosis and co-occurring disorders.

The Peer Specialist performs a wide range of tasks to assist and support individuals experiencing an emotional/psychiatric crisis.   The goal of the position is to provide individuals with tools, resources, and services to help individuals regain overall wellness to return back to the community.  This includes and not limited to learning and practicing new skills, helping clients monitor their progress, modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies, support the clients in their treatment, contact treatment providers to setup appointments, escort if needed to appointments, and assisting clients in any area they require help.

Duties involve but not limited:

• working with outside providers to ensure a continuum of care is met.
• Use peer counseling and support to help individuals identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination against mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-imposed stigma.
• Introduce and refer clients to self-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Assist client in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
• Light unit and office housekeeping, preparing rooms for new guests and light meal preparation.
• Conduct groups that support illness management, recovery groups.
• Attend regularly staff meetings and staff development trainings.
• Write progress notes and unit logs.
• Operate computer programs such as Microsoft Office along with medical recording keeping programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Education Requirement: High School Diploma required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred; Peer Advocacy/Specialist Training Certificate preferred.

Job Qualifications:

• Minimum one year experience in the behavioral health services or in the mental health setting
• Must be comfortable facilitating and conducting groups.
• Comfortable with community outreach
• Good computer skills including Microsoft Office (i.e.: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and comfortable learning new secured database programs.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing is preferred.
• Able to work weekends (Sat & Sun), days shifts (8am-4pm), and/or evening shifts (8pm-12am) a minimum of 18.75 hours per week.

 

Locations: Staten Island

Posted On: February 6, 2024