Peer Specialist

Responsibilities

• Provides in person individualized support to individuals who have been identified with a mental health diagnosis and/or substance use.
• Serves as a role model, mentor, and advocate in order to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery.
• Provides strength-based rehabilitative and recovery-oriented services individually and as part of a team.
• Establish a trusting relationship with client based in mutuality and unconditional positive regard during outreach and meetings in the community and in various program settings.
• Supports client in developing and implementing a person-centered recovery plan that is relevant to the current expressed needs of the client, consistent with the Plan of Care.
• Shares personal experiences to foster a sense of hope and recovery.
• Ensures coordination of services through collaboration and consultation with other staff, providers and identified family and/or friends of clients.
• Affords assistance to client with entitlements and concrete services; working together with client, advocates on client’s behalf via telephone and written correspondence.
• Attends and participates in weekly supervision, staff meetings and periodic in-service trainings.

Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or GED.
• At least Two (2) years’ work experience or volunteer experience in a recovery-oriented setting.
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-CRPA or CRPA-Provisional for designated OASAS programs OR New York Certified Peer Specialist -NYCPS or NYCPS for designated OMH programs.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder recovery process.
• Computer literacy including familiarity in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be available to travel throughout the required catchment area as needed for applicable programs and able to navigate the public transportation systems to client’s home and within the community.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently.
• Excellent time management.
• Ability to think logically, prioritize and follow procedures and instructions.