Position Details

Peer Specialist

We believe in the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

We want BestSelf to be a place where you love to come to work and where you look forward to growing professionally and personally. 

We offer a variety of Benefits:

· Sign-On Bonus

· Health Insurance Options

· Employee Referral Bonus

· Tuition Reimbursement

· Generous paid time off

Remember to always be your BEST SELF! 


SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Peer Specialist operates within a team of professionals who deliver services to consumers of Behavioral Health Services. The Peer Specialist delivers peer support services with rehabilitation and recovery focus, with a primary goal of connecting individuals to community based recovery supports consistent with the treatment/recovery plan. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use treatment or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply. Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behavior reflecting such values are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assist individual's mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment to participate in diverse, person-centered, self ? directed services and activities that promote empowerment and robust recovery.
  • Provide direct contact, outreach, mentoring, systems navigation, community oversight and crisis support as needed to individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders diagnoses.
  • Assist individuals with finding educational opportunities, employment, social activities and home health integration of services
  • Work towards participant's recovery goals, individually and in groups in various locations/environments.
  • Must be cognizant of all relevant employment, educational, housing, entitlement and social supports in the community and proactively facilitate connection to these services with participants as needed.
  • Will be available to transport consumers to appointments and/or community resources when needed
  • Engage individuals to inform about the changes happening to Medicaid.
  • Works in collaboration with the other program staff and partners to identify agencies to conduct outreach
  • Travels to numerous locations either to engage members or to support the recovery of individuals we work with; continues with individuals after discharge to identify and engage with a range of community-based supports;
  • Completes detailed written record of activities;
  • Attends trainings as required and assigned by supervisor
  • Maintains personal wellness. 
  • Schedule and assigned duties are subject to change based on the needs of the program and the clients we serve.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

  • Working knowledge of community resources, including social clubs, and peer support activities. 
  • Ability to identify potential crisis situations and convey this information to a supervisor in a timely and appropriate manner. 
  • Must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use disorder services. 
  • Must possess the ability to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with mental illness and substance use disorders, and maintain respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment. 
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.





QUALIFICATIONS:

 Associate's Degree in Human Services plus two years of advocacy experience in a human service agency or health care facility

OR

HS diploma or equivalency and 4yrs., experience in a human service agency or health care facility. 

AND

 Must be a peer and have a working knowledge of the mental health system and recovery process.  Must have personal lived experience as a former or current user of substance use treatment services or have personal substance use recovery experience and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.

AND

 A valid NYS drivers' license

 Automobile in good working order

 Must have Accredited NYS Defensive driving course; or obtain within 15 days of hire.

Must maintain Active NYS Defensive Driving class every 3 years, upon expiration.

 If driving one's own vehicle, must maintain valid inspection and automobile insurance.

Must provide proof of insurance upon hire and when requested.

Bilingual English/Spanish, Arabic, or other language strongly preferred.