Peer Support Specialist

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide recovery-oriented interventions for adults and children diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Work as a member of multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm-hand off 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, obtain food, obtain 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.
• Aid 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 pre-crisis 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 EBPs groups.
• Participate as member of the EBPs groups curriculum development process.

REQUIREMENTS

• Hold a high school diploma or jurisdictionally certified high school equivalency.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred.
• New York Certified Peer Specialist certification (OMH) is required.
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness.
• 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 Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills.