Peer Specialist

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Individual sessions with clients may include helping them deal with issues associated with (but not limited to) substance abuse, mental health treatment, family and social relationships; stress and symptom management; activities of daily living; medication management; and independent living or supported housing
• Provide emotional and practical support to clients as they engage in treatment
• Foster and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships with onsite multidisciplinary team as well as community providers
• Advocate with and for program clients to achieve personal goals and address barriers such as fear, stigma and communication disparities with providers and community supports
• Attend and participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and supervisory sessions
• Work with client and multidisciplinary team to assist client toward achieving their treatment plan goals 
• Monitor and record client’s progress and modify plan according to needs and preference 
• Comply with all required in-service training and staff development
• Document and track resources and client progress
• Meets all deadlines for progress/informational notes in electronic health record, fidelity reports, and other documentation obligations
• Perform other related duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES for the position include:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use one’s personal story and role model recovery in a way that promotes personal growth and empowerment 
• Knowledge of behavioral health systems, substance use disorders legislation and regulations, and health conditions 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and ask for help when needed 
• Ability to participate on a team to accomplish tasks 
• Serve as a role model to clients, staff, and stakeholders 
• Ability to work with all stakeholders: clients, providers, and families in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences
• Knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to clients and their families. 
• Knowledge of techniques for identifying risk for relapse, risk of harm to self/others, including crisis management techniques

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or equivalent. 
• Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Provisional Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate required.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/LANGUAGE PREFERENCE:

• Experience providing advocacy services to people who have substance use disorders.
• Lived experience with substance use, work or volunteer experience with clients struggling with substance use issues.
• Bi-lingual Spanish a plus but not required.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Must be able to document notes in electronic health record.
• Must be able to be proficient in computer skills to use Outlook for reading and sending e-mails, setting up appointments, utilize Microsoft TEAMS for meetings virtually.

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXIERITY:

• Must be able to travel throughout NYC on public transportation, carry laptop and MIFI, be able to type using a laptop and/or stationary computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Majority of the work is out in the community.  Some of the work will be office based.  Need to be able to travel throughout NYC via public transportation.  Physical effort may include ascending or descending stairs for subways and to residences. 

We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.