Peer Specialist

VNS Health; New York (NY); On-site; Full time

Job summary

VNS Health is seeking Peer Specialists/Advocates to connect with community members facing mental health challenges. In this role, you will conduct outreach, educate clients, and collaborate with a team to foster recovery and resilience. Join a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to compassionate care and community support.

Benefits

Referral bonus opportunities

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Employer-matched retirement savings

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience in mental health or human services preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to enroll clients into programs.
• Educate clients on services and self-help.
• Document in EMR following policies.

Skills

Effective communication

Relationship skills

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

EHR

Word processing

Job description

Overview

VNS Health Peer Specialists/Advocates are living examples of the transformative power of behavioral health intervention programs, able to relate to those who benefit from VNS Health Behavioral Health services. They embody core values of Empathy, Integrity, and Agility to engage community members suffering from mental illness, trauma, or substance abuse, connecting them with resources. By sharing personal experiences and insights, Peer Specialists/Advocates help clients live and heal at home within their families and communities.

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities
• Generous paid time off (starting at 20 days) and 9 holidays
• Health insurance for you and your loved ones, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability
• Employer-matched retirement savings
• Wellness programs
• Pre-tax FSAs for healthcare and dependent care, commuter transit
• Tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and networking through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals

What You Will Do

• Conduct outreach via phone and in the field to enroll clients into programs
• Build trust with clients and their families, assisting with interactions
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to discuss care needs and solutions
• Use shared lived experiences to foster relationships
• Educate clients on services, benefits, and self-help; serve as a role model, advocate, and escort to appointments
• Advocate for recovery-based services and clarify rehabilitation goals
• Teach symptom management and resilience skills, empowering clients
• Review service plans, provide ongoing education and support
• Develop resource inventories to meet client needs
• Navigate community services and support connections
• Document in EMR following policies and regulations
• Assist with housing transitions when appropriate
• Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and training
• Engage regularly in community practice, including home visits and emergency navigation

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum one year experience in mental health, substance use treatment, healthcare, or human services (preferred)
• Experience with severely mentally ill, trauma, or substance use populations (preferred)
• Effective communication and relationship skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Computer literacy, including EHR, word processing, email, internet research
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)

Pay Range

USD $20.98 - USD $26.23 /Hr.

About Us

VNS Health is a leading nonprofit home and community-based healthcare organization with over 130 years of innovation. We deliver compassionate, expert care and solutions to over 43,000 neighbors in New York, supported by data analytics and diverse health services designed to meet community needs.