Hospital Peer Bridger

M

Mental Health Advocates of Western New York

Hospital Peer Bridger

Buffalo, NY
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Position: Peer Bridger

    Employment Type:

    ☒ Part Time ☒ Full Time

    ☐ Exempt Salary ☒ Non-Exempt Hourly

    Reports To: Director of Peer Bridger Program

    Have you ever had to go to the Psychiatric Emergency Room?

    Do you have a loved one that has lived with a mental illness?

    Did you know where to get help when you needed it?

    Have you had to take your child or loved one to the hospital because of their mental health?

    You can be a Peer Advocate with Mental Health Advocates of WNY.

    We are looking for passionate individuals who want to help others to join our peer lead organization.

    You don't check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! MHA is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you are excited about this role or working at MHA – but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

    We are looking for full–time and part-time Peer Advocates. A Peer Advocate is an individual that has their own lived experience with Mental Health, be a parent, grandparents, caregiver of a child that has utilized services for their child’s mental health.

    Essential Functions

    • Support individuals and caregivers in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) and on the behavioral health units at Erie County Medical Center.
    • Offer hope through connection and engagement on what is possible.
    • Support individuals in connecting or reconnecting to their community and relationships.
    • Connect to and support individuals in various stages of navigation from CPEP to community, based on identified needs and requests for support.
    • Provide validation and support through person centered approaches and engagement.
    • Advocate when requested by the individual.
    • Assist in the development of comfort around self-advocacy.
    • Demonstrate self-help and wellness skills.
    • Share new resources and knowledge on system navigation.
    • Serve as a mentor on wellness and recovery.
    • Assist in the exploration of personal goals that lead to life satisfaction.
    • Engage in shared decision making with individuals.
    • Disseminate information and referrals by providing linkage to appropriate agencies or providers as needed.
    • Utilize evidence-based peer interventions Shared Decision Making, Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
    • Work collaboratively with the team to educate on recovery, self-determination, shared decision making, dignity of risk and peer values.
    • Use a family-centered strength-based approach to assure the needs of individuals and families are met in a culturally competent way.
    • Performs other duties as assigned.

    Qualifications

    The following is a list of experience, technologies, credentials, skills, and other items which are required for this position:

    • Hold current/active New York peer Certification:
      • New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS-P)
      • New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS)
      • New York Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)
      • Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C)
      • Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C)
    • Broad knowledge and experience in the mental health system or the willingness to learn.
    • Good networking experience.
    • Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and a supportive approach to the needs of others.
    • Ability to practice a high level of confidentiality.
    • Above average oral and written communication skills.
    • Excellent relationship building, interpersonal and coaching skills.
    • Sound, independent decision-making ability.
    • Team-first attitude and a positive demeanor.
    • Proficient computer skills, Microsoft 365 knowledge is a plus.
    • Flexibility with schedule to include evening hours and weekends.

    Travel Requirements

    • Incumbents must possess a valid Driver's License and reliable transportation with the ability to travel within New York State, as well as nationally, if required.

    Physical Demands

    The physical demands described represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time. The employee is required to regularly reach with arms and hands; use hands to handle. Hands and fingers frequently perform repetitive motion including typing/keying. Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
    • This job requires close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to regularly talk and hear.

    Mental Health Advocates of WNY is an equal opportunity employer. People of diverse backgrounds, race, ethnicity, and gender, and those who speak a second language are encouraged to apply.