Peer Advocate

Ocean State Job Lot; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Peer Specialist to support individuals facing mental health challenges. This role involves using a person-centered approach to help clients articulate their recovery goals, develop personalized plans, and build essential life skills. You will advocate for clients, assist them in navigating recovery processes, and foster their independence within the community. Join a mission-driven organization where your empathy and skills can make a significant impact on the lives of those in need. If you are passionate about helping others and want to be part of a healing community, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Plans

PTO Accrual up to 30 days

Educational Benefits for Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• Must be certified NYCPS, NYCPS-P, CRPA, CRPA-P by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board.
• Excellent intrapersonal skills and great organizational skills required.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through one-on-one sessions.
• Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans.
• Teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk.

Skills

Empathy

Organizational Skills

Problem-Solving Techniques

Communication Skills

Self-Advocacy

Education

Certification NYCPS, NYCPS-P, CRPA, CRPA-P

Tools

Cell Phone

Job description

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.

Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.

Job candidates should be aware that scammers may pose as employers and create fake job postings in order to extract personal information from individuals for financial gain. Housing Works will never ask job candidates for personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account details, over the phone. If you suspect that a job posting may be fake or wish to confirm that a job posting from Housing Works is genuine, please contact us at [e-mail]

Housing Works was founded in 1990; with a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org

Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services.

Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.

Compensation Range: $19/hr - $21/hr commensurate with experience

Overview:

Using a one to one, person-centered counseling model, the Community Oriented Recovery & Empowerment (CORE) program seeks to improve the functioning of individuals living with mental illness, histories of chemical and alcohol dependence, or physical disabilities, helping them achieve personal goals in the areas of recovery, employment or independent functioning. Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Peer Specialist who carries a caseload of twenty clients will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as an advocate, providing information and peer support for clients. The Peer Specialist will perform a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.

Responsibilities:

• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-on-one sessions.
• Demonstrate empathy towards the population.
• Support clients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.
• Collaborate with clients’ case managers or treatment teams in determining the steps needed in order to achieve these goals and self-directed recovery.
• Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
• Utilize and teach problem-solving techniques with individuals.
• Share their own experiences and what skills, strengths, supports, and resources they use to aid recovery.
• Teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears.
• Support clients’ vocational choices and assist them in choosing a job that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by reviewing job applications, and providing interview tips.
• Assist clients in building social skills in the community.
• Where necessary, accompany clients to and from appointments.
• Make appropriate referrals for clients, when needed.
• Assist in obtaining services that suit clients’ recovery needs and work through bureaucracies.
• Assist clients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.
• Keep progress notes and develop Individual Service Plans for each client.
• Hold case conferences as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Must be certified NYCPS, NYCPS-P, CRPA, CRPA-P, by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board/OMH/OASAS.
• Excellent intrapersonal skills.
• Great organizational skills.
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
• Knowledge of the Harm Reduction Model and Stages of Change.
• Occasionally required to traverse public transportation in order to attend meetings, give presentations or meet with clients in the community.
• Noise level is moderate.
• This is a community-based role with regulatory requirements that most work occurs in the field. The essential functions of this position may not be performed within the office.
• Must operate a cell phone or other technology to maintain consistent engagement and response to supervisor, co-workers, clients, community partners, and other external care providers.
• Occasional to frequent exposure to clients with infectious diseases.