The Peer Specialist has lived experience and is in a unique position to serve as a role model, educate individuals about self-help techniques and self-help group processes, teach effective coping strategies  based on personal experience , teach wellness management skills, assist in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals,  and assist in the development of  community support systems and networks. The position will work under the supervision of the Team Leader and will also involve facilitating transition from one level of care to another seamlessly by addressing the preparatory needs of participants in the various stages of recovery, discharge planning, development of daily living skills, and coping mechanisms through team and individual work in the community. The Peer Specialist engages participants in the community in peer-based services to identify and overcome barriers to community integration, utilizing a peer relationship to foster connection, trust, understanding and validation with community providers and supports. The role will require on- call coverage and a willingness to work flexible hours.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Engagement with involvement in transition planning, including a transition needs assessment of community and natural supports
• Individual sessions with participants emphasizing prevention and preparing for independent community living and the promotion of optimum mental and emotional health. May require helping participants deal with issues associated with but not limited to family and social relationships; stress and symptom management; activities of daily living; medication management; and housing readiness
• Work with participants and their housing providers to resolve clinical issues that are impacting on the participant’s ability to obtain, manage, and retain housing
• Assist and instruct participants in attending to daily living skills such as personal hygiene, grooming and laundry, nutrition/meal preparation, budgeting, and socialization tasks and skills needed to successfully live and work in the community environments of their choice and also in maintaining a safe living environment
• Foster and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships with community providers and network members to facilitate connections or re-connections to services and supports
• Community navigation including accompanying to behavioral health and medical appointments, travel training, reengagement in community care, referral to services with ability to identify and address potential services and barriers to obtain and maintain such services
• Advocate with and for program participants to achieve personal goals and address barriers such as fear, stigma and communication disparities with community providers and supports
• Provide on-call after hour crisis intervention services when needed to participants and their support network, including respite referrals and other diversion and stabilization services
• Attend and participate in team meetings and supervisory sessions
• Develop person-centered treatment plans to assist participant towards achieving their goals
• Monitor and record participant’s progress and modify plan according to needs and preference
• Perform various needs assessment for essential ongoing community integration and support
• Timely and accurate documentation of participant information within Health Information Technology platform
• Comply with all required in-service training and staff development
• Perform other related duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent or higher. New York State Certified Peer Specialist preferred
• Experience in providing advocacy services to people who are mentally ill and/or homeless. Past or current participant of behavioral health, substance services or homeless services preferred. 

·         Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

• Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

·         Strong organizational skills and timely follow-up to manage complex tasks.

• Self-motivated while also being a team player.

·         Proficient in MS Word/Excel

·         Bilingual in any language a plus not required.