Peer Specialist - Normann Staffing

Job:  Peer Specialist
Location:  Rhinebeck, NY
Schedule:  Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday, afternoon to Evening Flex hours  (ex. 1p-9p)
Pay:  $35,000-$39,700/ year BOE
Job Type:  Long term temp with potential to become permanent
 Position OverviewUnder general direction, The Peer will work with the team to provide community-based support with a rehabilitation and recovery focus using shared lived experiences in NYS OASAS regulated programs. In addition, the Peer will work as a fully integrated team member providing individual face to face services in the client’s home or community as specified in the service protocols. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of the Company.

 Essential Functions: 

• Provides in person individualized support to individuals who have been identified with a mental health diagnosis and/or substance use.
• Serves as a role model, mentor, and advocate in order to help prevent relapse and promote log-term recovery.
• Provides strength-based rehabilitative and recovery-oriented services individually and as part of a team.
• Establish a trusting relationship with client based in mutuality and unconditional positive regard during outreach and meetings in the community and in various program settings.
• Supports client in developing and implementing a person-centered recovery plan that is relevant to the current expressed needs of the client, consistent with the Plan of Care.
• Shares personal experiences to foster a sense of hope and recovery.
• Ensures coordination of services through collaboration and consultation with other staff, providers and identified family and/or friends of clients.
• Assists client with entitlements and concrete services; working together with client, advocates on client’s behalf via telephone and written correspondence.
• Attends and participates in weekly supervision, staff meetings and periodic in-service trainings.
• Attains and maintain competency in evidence-based practices as assigned.
• Documents time and effort and tasks during working hours as required for billing.
• Produces and maintains thorough, accurate and timely documentation, including documentation of interactions with client, services provided, important information and/or events, and contacts with other agencies and service providers, as required by agency policies, and relevant contracts and regulatory agencies.
• Increases client’s awareness of recovery services and supports in the community, identifying and supporting client in removing barriers to recovery, self-efficacy, and community inclusion.
• Assists client in developing personal skills toward community inclusion, personal development, and independent living.
• Supports client in shared decision-making with family and providers.
• Provides companionship and accompaniment to client during community, court, and medical appointments, recovery-oriented activities, and during stressful transitions such as pre- and post-admission to emergency rooms, detox units, and discharges from hospitals and jails.
• Conducts direct outreach to courts, probation, parole, hospitals, and other community-based organizations with direct referral back to the organization and its programs.
• Assists client in identifying and engaging in activities that bring to attain or sustain meaningful, healthy and satisfying lifestyles.
• Assists client to connect or reconnect and link to natural supports that enhance the quality and security of life, including self-help groups.
• Represent the organization at various community events and forum.

 
 Education, Experience, and/or Skills Required
 

• High School Diploma or GED
• Lived or work or volunteer experience in a recovery-oriented setting.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder recovery process.
• Computer literacy including familiarity in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must be available to travel throughout the required catchment area as needed for applicable programs and able to navigate the public transportation systems to client’s home and within the community.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Demonstrate ability to work independently.
• Excellent time management.
• Ability to think logically, prioritize and follow procedures and instructions
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience with advocacy, outreach and engagement, self-help, recovery and transitional supports.
• Knowledge of Evidenced Based Practices (Motivational Interviewing, Contingency Management)

License/Certification Required:

• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-CRPA or CRPA-Provisional

OR
 

• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach-CARC

OR
 

• OASAS approved 30 Hour Recovery Coach and Peer Ethics Training

Preferred Education, license/certification, Experience and/or Skills:

• Lived experience or experience working with persons with co-occurring mental health issues.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish.
• Experience in documenting Wellness/Recovery Plans
• EHR experience.
• Strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive culture within law enforcement, city agencies, healthcare services, and community-based social service providers.

 Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is performed primarily in the field or treatment setting.  A combination of sitting, standing, and travelling is required for large portions of the day. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be able to work at times under stressful conditions and which includes potential for unpredictable actions and behaviors from patients/guests.
Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-CRPA or CRPA-Provisional, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach-CARC, • OASAS approved 30 Hour Recovery Coach and Peer Ethics TrainingCertified Recovery Peer Advocate-CRPA or CRPA-Provisional, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach-CARC, • OASAS approved 30 Hour Recovery Coach and Peer Ethics Training