Peer Counselor - Level I

About the role

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City’s premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state‑of‑the‑art medical technology and best practices.

Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient‑centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas—Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health—in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services.

At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high‑quality health services without exception. Every employee takes a person‑centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Responsibilities

• Assist consumers with activities of daily living (e.g., setting up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to rehabilitation goals); may make home visits.
• Lead or co‑lead groups, including but not limited to dual‑diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery, and socialization.
• Help consumers identify personal warning signs of relapse and develop individual coping strategies.
• Provide supportive peer counseling regarding mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast‑feeding education and other self‑help opportunities.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary treatment and human‑services team to determine and implement a comprehensive plan of care.
• Clarify issues for consumers and assist with referrals for treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and supportive services.
• Follow up to determine whether services were provided and used.
• Assist consumers in completing applications and paperwork for public entitlements; may accompany consumers to agency offices and treatment programs.
• Act as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
• Facilitate the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
• Maintain current, complete, and appropriate documentation in the consumer record, prepare required forms, and use computer systems as needed.
• Document in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and write progress notes for review.

Qualifications

• Assignment Level I for Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs): Must maintain certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist‑Provisional (NYCPS‑P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate‑Provisional (CRPA‑P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP‑NYCB); or Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA‑C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPA‑P), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA‑C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional (YPA‑P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and satisfactory documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist training program or one (1) year of full‑time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate, or in related human services.
• Substance Use Assignments: Must maintain certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate‑Provisional (CRPA‑P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP‑NYCB); and satisfactory documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist training program or one (1) year of full‑time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance‑use disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate, or in related human services.
• All Other Mental Health Assignments: Must maintain certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist‑Provisional (NYCPS‑P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and satisfactory documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist training program or one (1) year of full‑time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental‑health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate, or in related human services.
• All Other Assignments (including Breast‑feeding Education Assignments): Must have satisfactory documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist training program or one (1) year of full‑time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate, or in related human services; and a high‑school diploma or its educational equivalent.