Peer Counselor - Level II

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Health and Hospitals is seeking Peer Counselors to assist individuals with mental health challenges. In this role, you'll provide support in daily activities, facilitate groups, and advocate for patients' needs within the community. Ideal candidates will have relevant certifications and experience, reflecting their commitment to improving the lives of those they serve. Join a dedicated team focused on delivering quality health services and contributing to meaningful rehabilitation efforts.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Retirement Savings and Pension Plans

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Paid Holidays and Vacation

College tuition discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in peer counseling or related human services.
• Certification as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate required.
• Completion of a formalized training program.

Responsibilities

• Assist consumers with daily living activities.
• Lead support groups and provide counseling.
• Act as a liaison with community organizations.

Skills

Empathic communication

Supportive peer counseling

Advocacy

Education

High school diploma or its equivalent

Job description

Queens Hospital Center is making good on its promise to the people of southeastern and central Queens to maximize both patient convenience and positive clinical outcomes. Residents of Queens can count on the delivery of quality medical care right in their own borough. In 2002 the hospital opened a state-of-the-art, 261-bed facility that includes the Queens Cancer Center, the first comprehensive cancer treatment center in the borough.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts

9:00 A.M – 5:00 P.M

Job Description

Assignment Level I
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.

Assignment II

In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Level I at a more difficult and responsible level, performs the
following tasks:

Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
2. Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
3. Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and within
service delivery systems.
4. Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

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.
Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level II requires:
1. One (1) additional year of experience, as described in Assignment Level I above.

How To Apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities