Peer Advocate

LE001 Richmond Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Richmond University Medical Center seeks an experienced Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) for the inpatient psychiatry unit on Staten Island. You will provide peer support, help with recovery goals, and connect patients to community resources throughout hospitalization and transition.

The role emphasizes lived recovery experience, collaboration with the interprofessional team, and advocacy for patient self‑determination, with documentation in the EMR and strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Current New York CRPA certification is required.
• Lived recovery experience to be used professionally.
• One year of peer support or related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed, person-centered care.

Responsibilities

• Provide one‑on‑one peer support and recovery coaching to psychiatric inpatients.
• Foster hope and engagement in treatment using lived experience.
• Identify strengths, recovery goals, and coping strategies with patients.
• Lead recovery‑focused groups and educational activities as assigned.
• Support discharge planning by linking to community resources.
• Advocate for patient voice, choice, and self‑determination.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers and the care team.
• Document promptly and accurately in the electronic medical record.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Basic computer proficiency

EMR documentation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CRPA certification (NY)

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

Day Shift - 7.5 Hours (United States of America)

Title

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) – Inpatient Psychiatry

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Reports to

Behavioral Health Care Transition Manager

Location

RUMC Staten Island, NY

Salary Range

$50,000 – $55,000 annually (commensurate with experience and credentials)

Position Summary

The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) is a member of the interdisciplinary Psychiatry team who utilizes personal lived experience and recovery-oriented practices to support patients during hospitalization and transition to the community. The CRPA promotes hope, engagement in treatment, self-advocacy, and recovery through peer support, education, and connection to community resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one peer support and recovery coaching to psychiatric inpatients.
• Utilize lived experience to foster hope, resilience, wellness, and engagement in treatment.
• Assist patients in identifying strengths, recovery goals, and effective coping strategies.
• Facilitate recovery-focused groups and educational activities as assigned.
• Support discharge planning by connecting patients to behavioral health, recovery, and community resources.
• Advocate for patient voice, choice, and self-determination throughout treatment.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, and the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and adherence to CRPA ethical standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Current New York State Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification required.
• Lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or substance use challenges and ability to appropriately utilize that experience in a professional setting.
• One year of peer support, behavioral health, social services, or related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered care principles.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, advocacy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to document in an electronic medical record.

Employment Non-Discrimination

Richmond University Medical Center is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and provides full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions and needs including lactation accommodations, physical or mental disability, age, immigration or citizenship status, veteran or active military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Our Mission

We the staff of Human Resources are proud to share a long-standing tradition of excellence at Richmond University Medical Center. We uphold the mission by providing premier quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services, and value the pride and integrity that motivate us to always be more, and always be better. We are committed to our mission and values because WE CARE! We are Welcoming, Energized, Compassionate, Advocates, Respectful and Excellent in our interaction with our patients, families, visitors and co-workers. WE CARE W We are welcoming and gracious toward each other, and toward all who come to receive our services. E Personnel are energized for quality, creativity, commitment and teamwork. C Compassion is the way we share deep concern and care toward each person. A Advocacy is our activity that promotes the rights and responsibilities of patients, families, and staff, in the hospital setting and in the community. R We show respect by recognizing the basic dignity of every person in all our interactions and in the formulation of policies and procedures. E Excellence is our way of demonstrating that we can always be more and always be better.