Job Description

The Peer Specialist will provide direct recovery focused services to recipients in an inpatient psychiatric treatment setting. Primary focus will be providing individual peer support and counseling along with a range of services which are designed to assist recipients in regaining personal control over their lives and over their own recovery process. Tasks focus on facilitating the development of self-help skills, support systems, coping strategies, maximizing use of resources available, and the increased hope and self-esteem that are central to recovery. Peer Specialists also perform individual supportive counseling and systems advocacy functions.

By virtue of their unique own lived perspective and experiences in the mental health system as part of their own recovery, Peer Specialists model competence and the possibility of recovery for both recipients in care and staff.

Peer Specialists will work with the Treatment Team and provide input from the patient’s perspective and input regarding treatment planning.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience living with one’s own mental illness, receiving mental health services, and demonstrable progress in overcoming mental health challenges.
• Ability to communicate recovery components, self-determination, choices, empowerment, etc.
• Ability to communicate one’s own lived experience and recognize appropriate opportunities to self- disclose.
• Ability to facilitate group meetings and sessions and teach daily living and community living skills to individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of community resources and benefits.
• Documentation of group member’s response to treatment and progress.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• HS Diploma
• Lived experience as a recipient of mental health services.
• Two years of experience participating in mental health self-help activities, peer support or advocacy programs, or similar organizations.
• Must demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and effectively work with recipients of mental health services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Peer Specialist Certification through the Academy of Peer Services or conditional certification.
• A valid New York State driver’s license.
• Experience leading a variety of support and skills-based learning, health and wellness education, and development of the WRAP plan.
• Candidates who have a strong track record of documented accomplishments and leadership within the consumer/survivor movement, including self-help and/or advocacy, and/or who have completed a classroom-based Peer Services training program are strongly encouraged to apply.

PEERS SPECIALIST - FULL TIME DAYS 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY HIRING RATE - $39,022 PLUS LOCATION PAY $3,026– $42,048 MAX JOB RATE - $47,968 + $3,026 = $50,994 PEER SPECIALIST – PART TIME DAYS 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY HIRING RATE PLUS LOCATION PAY – 21,024 MAX JOB RATE – 25,497