SCOPE OF ROLE:
The Respite Specialist will work in the provision of hospital diversion model providing temporary services including residential/respite care so clients can stay in a warm, friendly, safe, and supportive home-like environment where they are taught to use new recovery and relapse preventions skills. This is achieved through 24-hour peer support, self-advocacy education, self-help training, and mutual understanding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a partnership with guests experiencing crisis utilizing trauma-informed, recovery oriented, intentional peer support,
• Promote the provision of a safe, comfortable, secure and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected by staff
• Practice the Need Adapted Treatment Model (NATM) and Intentional Peer Support (IPS) after completing training provided as part of the Parachute NYC grant
• Draw on knowledge and skills acquired from personal experience with the mental health system with a focus on guest’s personal recovery process
• Create a sense of community through the mutual sharing of lived experiences and offers encouragement and support to participate in daily activities within the CRC and community
• Assist with pre-registration process for both individuals referred from NA-MCT (Need Adapted Mobile Crisis Team) and those who self-refer (respite-only guests)
• Assist with intake and registration of new guests, including an explanation of services and expectations, a tour of the premises, introduction to other staff and guests
• Assist and collaborate with other Parachute NYC staff when appropriate to help guests identify, plan for and realize short-term personal goals and priorities while in the CRC
• Facilitate individual and group-based educational, recovery, wellness and skill building opportunities including: wellness self-management; WRAP; peer support; harm reduction; and other social or leisure activities
• Follow-up with guests to monitor and support progress toward goal-achievement
• Advocates for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff
• Assist guests with steps required to prepare their own meals, manage their own medication, take care of their physical needs and participate in the maintenance of a clean-living environment 
• Responsible for timely and accurate documentation including documentation of interactions with guests, services provided, critical information and events, contacts with collaterals and referrals, as required by SUS policies and Parachute NYC
• Provide household upkeep duties as needed
• Serve daily cold breakfast for guests and assist guests with accessing snacks, when needed
• Encourage guest participation in relevant aspects of documentation process
• Participates in data collection and recording related to outcomes, research and other agency and grant-based priorities
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, interagency meetings, case conferences, NA-MCT meetings, and other relevant meetings as required by SUS and Parachute NYC
• Provides flexible evening, night, weekend and holiday coverage

Benefits Overview: We offer attractive compensation with comprehensive benefits including: Medical/Dental/Prescription/Vision/Life Insurance; 403(b); Credit Union; FSAs; Short-and-Long-Term Disability; Transportation Plan; Generous Paid Vacations and Holidays

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Certification or Provisional certification as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) OASAS and or OMH /CRPA certification
• Active participation in self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs, or participant run organizations or similar experiences or programs required.
• Must have lived experience with the Mental Health and/or Substance Use Treatment system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
• Understanding of the community in which the team is based with an awareness of available community resources.
• Experience working with adults impacted by mental health disorders
• The Peer Specialist should also be someone who has made positive and productive progress toward his or her own recovery.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to and effectively work with participants.
• Must possess the ability/ willingness to disclose their recovery story (where appropriate) for the purposes of empowerment.
• Excellent judgment/ ability to understand boundaries when working with participants is required.
• Have a clear understanding of community diversity and needs
• Ability to document and translate member needs with a trauma informed, and culturally competent lens
• Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel
• Bilingual a plus
• A Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent or higher required

Join a team of employees who cares about the wellbeing of others.  We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values:  respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. 

S:US is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals.