Peer Counselor - Lvl II

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals is looking for a Peer Counselor in New York City. This position involves providing direct services to individuals in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings. You will assist consumers in achieving rehabilitation goals and lead peer support initiatives while ensuring compliance with certification requirements.

The ideal candidate will hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have relevant certifications, and possess strong communication skills to effectively engage with consumers and support their recovery journey.

Qualifications

• Must have certification for the assignment's duration as a Peer Specialist or equivalent.
• One year of experience working with consumers of mental health services.
• High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to health consumers under supervision.
• Assist consumers with daily activities and rehabilitation goals.
• Lead groups and provide supportive peer counseling.

Skills

Certification as a Peer Specialist

Experience with mental health services

Communication skills

Knowledge of recovery strategies

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Certification training completion

Job description

Provider Careers at NYC Health + Hospitals

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City’s premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state‑of‑the‑art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient‑centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health in addition to more than eighty specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority.

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.

Work Shifts

9:00 A.M – 5:00 P.M

35 Weekly Hours

Responsibilities

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);
   • Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate‑Provisional (CRPA‑P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP‑NYCB);
   • 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.

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.

Assignment Level II requires all qualifications of Peer Counselor Level I plus one (1) additional year of experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position: Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. They collaborate with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans, and empower peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues, and plan for their futures.

Examples of Typical Tasks for Assignment Level I:

1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living such as setting up a household, using public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting, and other skills relevant to 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 personal warning signs of relapse and developing coping strategies.
4. Provides supportive peer counseling related 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 to determine and implement comprehensive care plans.
6. Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with referral processes for treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and supportive services, following up to confirm service usage.
7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paperwork for public entitlements, and may accompany the consumer to agency offices and treatment programs.
8. Acts as 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 use computer systems to carry out these functions; documents in Electronic Health Record (EHR) and writes progress notes for review.

Additional Tasks for Higher Difficulty Levels:

1. Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
2. Provides education and 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 service delivery systems.
4. Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.

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.