Peer Counselor – Level I

Manhattan–Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC / “msiahec.org”); New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Manhattan–Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC) seeks a qualified Peer Counselor to support Emergency Psychiatric Programs and substance use assignments. Under supervision, you provide direct services to health consumers and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to plan and monitor individualized care plans.

Responsibilities include leading peer support groups, assisting with daily living activities, identifying relapse warning signs, documenting in the electronic health

Qualifications

• Certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS/NYCPS-P) or Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA/CRPA-P) or equivalent from NYS boards.
• 1 year of full-time experience with consumers of CPEP/substance use or completion of a formal training program.
• High school diploma or educational equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Empower peers to advocate for themselves and assist with treatment plans.
• Lead or co-lead groups on dual diagnoses, relapse recovery, and socialization.
• Identify relapse warning signs and develop coping strategies with clients.
• Provide supportive peer counseling on mental health, substance use, and self-help opportunities.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary treatment team to determine a plan of care.
• Assist with referrals for treatment, housing, and supportive services; follow up on services.
• Help with applications for public entitlements and accompany clients to offices.
• Liaise with community and governmental agencies.
• Support the establishment of peer support networks and social supports.
• Maintain documentation in the EHR and write progress notes.

Skills

Peer counseling

Group facilitation

Documentation in EHR

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Assignment Level I
For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment’s duration, as a
a. Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or
b. Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or
c. Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPA-P), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional (YPA-P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.

For Substance Use Assignments:
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment’s duration, as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance use disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Mental Health Assignments:
3. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment’s duration, as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and
4. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.

Qualification Requirements (Continued):
For All Other Assignments (Including Breastfeeding Education Assignments):
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services; and
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

DutyS & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position:

Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model.

Examples of Typical Tasks:

1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual’s rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.

2. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization.

3. Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.

4. Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast-feeding education and other self-help opportunities.

5. Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.

6. Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing
and supportive services. Follows-up to determine whether services were provided and used.

7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.

8. Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.

9. Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.

10. Maintains current, complete and appropriate documentation in the consumer record, prepares required forms, and may be required to use computer systems in carrying out these functions. Documents in Electronic Health
Record (EHR) and writes progress notes for review.

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