Peer Counselor - Lvl I

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 43,642 - 47,436; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals is seeking a Peer Counselor for the North Central Bronx location. This full-time role involves providing peer support and advocacy to health consumers in various settings, requiring certification as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate. Candidates must have experience in peer services or related fields, along with a high school diploma. The role offers a salary range of $43,642 - $47,436 and is a part of the Social Work Services department.

Qualifications

• Certification required as a Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate.
• Completion of Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program.
• One year of experience working with consumers in related services.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to health consumers in various settings.
• Assist consumers with daily living activities.
• Lead peer group sessions focused on recovery.
• Empower peers to advocate for themselves.

Skills

Peer Specialist Certification

Experience in CPEP services

Recovery Peer Advocate Certification

Experience in substance use services

Skills in advocacy and counseling

High school diploma or equivalent

Education

High school diploma or its educational equivalent

Job description

Provider Careers at NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (NCB) is a member facility of the New York City Health + Hospitals system, one of eleven acute care facilities within the City of New York. A 215-bed community hospital, NCBH specializes in women’s and children’s services. It also provides Behavioral Health acute and ambulatory care. Its busy outpatient department has led the way in community-based care delivered in a compassionate and culturally-appropriate manner. It’s Labor and Delivery service safely brings more than 800 babies into the world each year. NCBH is committed to providing safe, high-quality medical care for any and all in need.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality 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.

Responsibilities

Assignment Level I

For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):

1. 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); or a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or 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.
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).
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:

1. 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).
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 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.
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Duties & 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, breath‑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 paperwork 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.

How To Apply

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JOB DETAILS

Salary Range: $43,642 - $47,436

Position type: Full-Time

Department: SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

Category: Behavioral Health

Posted: May 7, 2026

LOCATION

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

15 minutes walk from nearest station to the hospital.

ABOUT NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, annually serving more than a million New Yorkers in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our mission is to care for all, without exception.