Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

Acacia Network; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate to provide essential support and recovery-oriented interventions for individuals facing substance use disorders. This role emphasizes cultural sensitivity and teamwork, ensuring clients receive holistic, person-centered care. You will engage in motivational interviewing, conduct assessments, and facilitate group sessions, all while advocating for clients' needs within the community. If you're passionate about recovery and have the skills to make a difference, this position offers a fulfilling opportunity to help others navigate their journey towards wellness and self-efficacy.

Qualifications

• Must hold a high school diploma and Certified Recovery Peer Advocate certification.
• Experience or desire to work with mental illness or substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions for clients.
• Conduct assessments and facilitate support groups for substance abuse.

Skills

Cultural Awareness

Computer Skills

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Motivational Interviewing

Time Management

Organizational Skills

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate Certification

Mandated Reporter Training

Trauma-Informed Care Training

Tools

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Electronic Communications Tools

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate requires someone who is culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of the targeted population, possesses excellent computer skills, can function as a part of an inter-disciplinary team, and has an understanding of therapy and group work rooted in evidence-based approaches for intervention and management strategies. Peer Support services are peer-delivered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus. They are designed to promote skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms while facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of recovery-oriented principles (e.g., hope and self-efficacy, and community living skills). Peer support uses trauma-informed, non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from a behavioral health disorder.

Under the supervision of the Recovery Specialist Supervisor, the requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The provider ensures strengths-based, person-centered quality of care provided in a culturally and linguistically meaningful therapeutic environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA to perform the essential functions of the job. The functions below outline the general responsibilities associated with this position. Each of these functions is considered critical to effective department operations and our Mission. It is expected that all staff in this position will have satisfactory attendance and will perform these functions as assigned in a competent, cooperative, and timely manner. The Job Description will be reviewed periodically for accuracy and/or adjusted according to business necessity.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions for clients diagnosed with substance abuse disorders.
• Help promote skills for coping and managing behavioral health symptoms.
• Provide relapse prevention planning.
• Conduct assessments and groups specific to substance abuse and dependency.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices (EBP) while working with individuals at different stages of change to help individuals reduce use/abstain from substance use.
• Work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client-centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm handoff referrals, including health homes services.
• Communicate effectively with clients and collateral contacts and conduct outreach for care coordination.
• Provide advocacy services for clients, including assisting individuals in obtaining benefits and entitlements, food, housing, and access to appropriate care in the community.
• Conduct interim visits with individuals after a discharge from a hospital, rehab, or inpatient stay to facilitate community tenure and increased readiness while waiting for the first post-discharge visit with a community-based mental health provider.
• Assist in the selection and utilization of self-directed recovery tools such as relapse prevention planning.
• Connect individuals to self-help groups in the community.
• Provide recovery education and counseling to individuals and their family members.
• Provide transitional support bridging from an institution (jail, hospital, rehab) to an individual’s home.
• Provide preventative and crisis support services.
• Provide parent skills development and training.
• Conduct groups with families to strengthen social skills, decrease isolation, provide emotional support, and create opportunities for ongoing natural support.
• Participate in staff and organizational meetings as requested for care coordination and development of policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate EBP groups.
• Participate as a member of the EBP groups’ curriculum development process.
• Complete office duties as needed/required.
• Complete wellness and health promotion activities.
• Follow up with the individual and the individual’s family/support network to confirm linkage to Care Coordination, outpatient treatment, or other community services.
• Perform additional relevant duties as requested by supervisor/management.
• Follow established policies and procedures.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Hold a high school diploma or jurisdictionally certified high school equivalency.
• Must possess current Certified Recovery Peer Advocate certification. Provisional certification will be accepted with 12 months to obtain full certification.
• Mandated Reporter Training required.
• Must be trained in Trauma-Informed Care and in Military and Veteran’s culture, or complete training within 1 month of employment.
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to complete work independently as well as in collaboration with team members.
• Must be team-oriented with a willingness to be flexible and helpful.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred.