JOB TITLE: Peer Specialist (NYCPS), MH

REPORT TO: Peer Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: CCBHC

We believe that in-person operations are the best way to serve our clients, both directly and through essential operational support. This position requires in-person attendance with a team at 1 Brooklyn clinic location with some travel in support of the CCBHC Project.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Core Services includes:

• Crisis mental health services including 24-hour mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention, and crisis stabilization; Screening, assessment, and diagnosis including risk assessment; Patient-Centered treatment planning or similar processes, including risk assessment and crisis planning; Outpatient mental health and substance use services; Outpatient clinic primary care screening and monitoring of key health indicators and health risk; Targeted case management; Psychiatric rehabilitation services; Peer support, counselor services, and family support services; and, Intensive community-based mental health care for members of the armed forces & veterans.

SUMMARY: The Peer Specialist will join the CCBHC team to provide services dedicated to integrating mental health, substance use and medical care. The individual will be an individual who has had direct experience with mental health services and will utilize those experiences to collaborate with, coach and challenge individuals to view their life situations as an opportunity for growth and change within each individual’s recovery. The Peer will be actively involved in directly engaging participants in groups and individual coaching sessions to build personal strengths and coping mechanisms. With lived experiences, the peer will mentor and model for participants self-care and self-management choices that build resiliency and a stronger recovery.

The value of supporting positive choices and leading by modeling is appreciated in this staff. The Peer Support Specialist will also help the agency develop services that are youth-guided and serving as a resource for integrated care and wellness driven.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Assist participants in the development of a personal self-directed wellness plan.
• Work with participants to identify strengths.
• Link participants to formal wellness supports.
• Assist with the review and discussion of the peer’s wellness plan.
• Provide participants with information on existing community supports and services.
• Model, coach and help practice a variety of coping skills
• Assist participant with applying for benefits.
• Accompany participant to medical appointments.
• Provide non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or incarceration.
• Accompany participants to court appearances and other appointments.
• Coach program participants about various pathways to recovery and wellness.
• Provide practice training on how to use public transportation independently.
• Identify and support linkages to community resources that support the participant’s goals and interests.
• Maintain confidentiality in adherence to HIPAA guidance.
• Collaborate with client and CCBHC team to identify the services the participant need based on stages of change, immediate needs, and recommended treatment objectives.
• Assess and provide referral to resources for housing, income support, education and vocational training, social supports, employment, and primary care needs.
• Assist clients with linkages to and systems navigation within the behavioral health, human services, and criminal justice systems as appropriate.
• Act as an advocate and liaison for clients in accessing resources to support service plan goals and the path to recovery.
• Involve family and significant others in the client’s treatment with the team.
• Provide direct peer support with trauma-informed approaches, wellness counseling, harm reduction counseling based on motivational interviewing.
• Complete Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), safety, crisis intervention, and relapse prevention plans as appropriate and directed.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team which includes therapists, care coordinators, other certified peer specialists, mobile crisis clinicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatrists to assist with an integrated person-centered goal planning.
• Communicates to the supervisor about the need for proper treatment and referral protocols with respect to child abuse, domestic violence, consultation with specialty clinics, and referral both within and outside of IDCC.
• Follow policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure compliance with CCBHC program requirements and regulations for substance abuse services.
• Develops and implements treatment plans tailored to individual client needs for a person-centered approach.
• Complies with billing and reimbursement requirements, maximizing revenue potential while maintaining program integrity.
• Comply with all relevant regulations, accreditation standards, and reporting requirements.
• Participate in audits and reviews to ensure adherence to program requirements and standards.
• Complete agency training to improve cultural competency and trauma informed care as they align to CCBHC MCT and Agency specific mission.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
• Available to travel/work evening and weekend hours as required by the agency needs.
• Work collaboratively with the CCBHC Interdisciplinary Team as well as external agencies and community stakeholders.
• Attend required management and staff meeting. Complete CCBHC and organizational trainings.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 1 year of volunteer or paid work experience providing peer support to individuals with a mental health and/or substance use disorder.
• Personal experience of recovery of mental health and/or substance use disorder.
• Knowledgeable about the psychosocial aspects of illness and health.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment.
• Proficient with word processing, electronic health records, and electronic communications.
• Well organized with strong time management skills. Enthusiasm and self-motivation regarding identifying client needs and obtaining related resources.
• Able to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including being able to maintain a professional temperament with both clients and colleagues.
• Knowledgeable with regard to the availability of community facilities and resources for referral, transfer and discharge planning.
• Strong crisis intervention skills.
• Able to meet program standards in documenting in client records.
• Ability to work with challenging clients.
• Comfortable with community outreach and home visits.
• Comfortable and competency working with racially, culturally, religiously and ethnically, linguistically, differently abled diverse communities, including but not limited to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

ADDITIONAL VALUED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with data based systems such as the AWARDS system
• Familiarity with Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
• Experience in documenting Wellness/Recovery Plans.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• State certification as a Peer Specialist or Provisional Certification as a Peer Specialist with the understanding that they become certified within 1 year of employment (NYCPS)

Salary: $70,000 to $75,000 annually

Location: Onsite

BENEFITS WE OFFER:

• Competitive salary commensurable with experience
• Medical as well as Dental and Vision
• Cafeteria Plans: FSA, Dependent child care plan, qualified transportation plan
• Up to 3% 401k Profit Sharing plan automatic contribution for eligible employees
• 401k Additional 4% match of your contribution from your salary
• Employee Assistance Program Services (EAP)
• Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program for qualifying candidate
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Referral Bonus for Eligible Positions

SALARY RANGE: $70,000 - 75,000 (Based on experience and licensure/certification.)

Interborough is an EOE employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and/or local law and encourage women, veterans and other minorities to apply.

Interborough Developmental and Consultation Center is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) in the workplace. We believe that DEIB unites every community.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Interborough is an Equal Opportunity Employer

#IDCCCI

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Peer Specialist or Provisional Certification (Required)

Work Location: In person