Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

Key Essential Functions

• Provide rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions for clients diagnosed with substance disorders.
• Help promote skills for coping and managing behavioral health symptoms.
• Provide relapse prevention planning.
• Conduct assessment and groups specific to substance abuse and dependency.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices (EBP) while working with individuals at different stages of change to help individuals reduce use/abstain from substance use.
• Work as a member of multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm handoff referrals, including health homes services.
• Communicate effectively with clients and collateral contacts and conduct outreach for care coordination.
• Provide advocacy services for clients, including assisting individuals obtain benefits and entitlements, food, housing, and access appropriate care in the community.
• Conduct interim visits with individuals after a discharge from a hospital, rehab, or inpatient stay to facilitate community tenure and increased readiness while waiting for the first post-discharge visit with a community-based mental health provider.
• Assist in the selection and utilization of self-directed recovery tools such as relapse prevention planning.
• Connect individuals to self-help groups in the community.
• Provide recovery education and counseling to individuals and their family members.
• Provide transitional support bridging from an institution (jail, hospital, rehab) to an individual’s home.
• Provide preventative and crisis support services.
• Provide parent skills development and training.
• Conduct groups with families to strengthen social skills, decrease isolation, provide emotional support and create opportunities for ongoing natural support.
• Participate in staff and organizational meetings as requested for care coordination and development of policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate EBP groups.
• Participate as member of the EBP groups’ curriculum development process.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must possess current Certified Recovery Peer Advocate certification.
• Provisional certification will be accepted and must obtain full certification within six (6) months from the date of hire.
• Must obtain Mandated reporter (2 hours) training/certificate within thirty (30) days.
• Website info: https://nysmandatedreporter.org/TrainingCourses.aspx
• Must obtain training/certification within thirty (30) days of hire.
• BASIC (non-medical/nursing staff): HIV, Child Abuse, Tobacco Cessation, Impaired Driver Screening and Assessment.
• Supporting Recovery with Medications Addictions Treatment (MAT).
• Must obtain SUD training/certificate within thirty (30) days of hire (if applicable).
• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment CASAC Canon of Ethics (6 hours), Confidentiality related to 42CFR (3 Hours).
• Must be trained in Trauma Informed Care and in Military and Veteran’s culture, or complete training within 1 month of employment.
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to complete work independently as well as in collaboration with team members.
• Must be team oriented with a willingness to be flexible and helpful.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred.