IMT Peer Specialist Intern

Overview

The IMT Peer Specialist Intern is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals at Community Access. The team provides innovative, trauma-informed mobile practice model services to individuals who have not been adequately served by traditional services. IMT teams work collaboratively with various systems such as homeless services, criminal justice, and behavioral health services.

Core Principles

• Program participants' right to self-determination
• Respectful communication
• Services that support recovery and healing consistent with and nurturing each participant's cultural background, experience, identity, and values
• Clear professional boundaries to support the limits and possibilities of services

Internship Learning Opportunities And Areas Of Instruction

• Understand and implement person-centered treatment planning interventions
• Identify participant treatment and support service needs and associated service plan objectives based on participant goals
• Utilize strategies for collaborating with collateral contacts including shelters, hospitals, outpatient services and criminal justice systems
• Provide or connect participants with employment counseling, vocational rehabilitation, completion of housing applications and placement, and provision of life skills training
• Aid participants in navigating service systems, including behavioral and medical health, criminal justice, shelter system, entitlements and transportation
• Educate participants about self-help techniques, processes and community options, including education regarding coping strategies via WRAP plans or other supports
• Provide harm reduction services, integrated substance use treatment and relapse prevention
• Complete documentation that meets medical-necessity standards
• Comprehensively assess and provide services to participants to address health and wellness, housing, income support, education, vocational training, employment and social supports
• Complete assessments and evaluations as required based on a rotating schedule
• Provide IMT treatment services including: service planning and coordination; problem solving; support with obtaining housing; developing social connections; strengthening family and other relationships; developing independent living skills and obtaining necessary resources; accessing and accessing education and training; employment supports (job search, placement and support); entitlement and financial management; empowerment and self-help; wellness self-management with a focus on the development of coping skills; support with medications; and weekly groups
• Use motivational interviewing, recovery and trauma-informed approaches when delivering services
• Complete crisis intervention and relapse prevention plans
• Collaborate with participants, families and natural supports, shelter, jail and community partners to promote attainment of treatment and recovery goals
• Coordinate discharge in collaboration with inpatient and ER staff when participants have involvement
• Complete thorough, timely and accurate documentation of all contacts
• Utilize public transportation for travel throughout boroughs

Qualifications

• Understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access
• Commitment to person-centered treatment strategies, upholding participants' rights, and self-determination in service provision
• New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS), or Provisional Certification in progress
• Lived experience of a mental health condition required, and a history of homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, and/or experience with substance use services, preferred
• Available to work a flexible schedule, mornings, evenings and weekends in response to participant needs
• Must be able to work in the community, including use of public transportation
• Computer proficiency in Windows operating systems and programs, such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as comfort with learning new electronic systems
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center