SCSC Peer Support Specialist

Upstate Caring Partners; City of Utica (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct Deposit

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Life Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Generous PTO Plans (Sick, Vacation and

Employee Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Service Awards

Employee Appreciation Events

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Upstate Caring Partners seeks a Peer Support Specialist to join the Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center in Utica, NY. The role focuses on assisting clients in crisis related to substance use, mental health, or co-occurring conditions, advocating for treatment access and rights.

The PSS must be in recovery, hold or pursue OMH/OASAS-recognized certification, and engage with clients to promote coping, self-care, and recovery pathways within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Must be 18+ years old.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Certification as CRPA or NYS Certified Peer Specialist or equivalent, with provisional status achievable within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients at the SCSC and assist in triage, screening and assessment.
• Support clients during crisis situations.
• Advocate for clients' treatment services and educate them on rights and responsibilities.
• Teach coping skills to clients and family members.
• Use a person-centered approach and support multiple pathways to recovery.
• Serve as a role model and educate through shared experiences.
• Mentor clients in communication, self-care and self-advocacy.
• Lead educational and support groups for clients.
• Participate in treatment team planning and inform treatment decisions.

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or NYS Peer Specialist

Provisional certification within 90 days

Job description

Job Category: Community Health & Behavioral Services

Requisition Number: SCSCP008097

Locations

Showing 1 location

Utica, NY 13502, USA

Description

Pay $40,000 - $45,000 annually - Day and Evening/Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities available!

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) works as part of the Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center (SCSC) program to support clients in their crisis state, related to Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Mental Health (MH) or co-Occurring SUD and MH diagnosis. The PSS is a key part of the multi-disciplinary crisis response team and works directly with clients to provide advocacy and support. The PSS works to engage individuals at all points of service, to include admission, treatment, discharge planning.

The PSS must identify as being actively in recovery from a SUD or MH condition or and self-disclose one’s recovery journey. The PSS must currently have a certification or attain provisional certification within 90-days of employment, as a Peer Specialist or Advocate recognized by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and/or Office of Addiction Supports and Services (OASAS).

Core Responsibilities

• Greet clients presenting to the SCSC and provide support in the triage, screening and assessment services.
• Support SCSC clients during time of crisis.
• Relate to the client as an advocate for their treatment services.
• Educate clients on their rights and responsibilities.
• Teach individuals and family members coping skills.
• Use a person-centered approach.
• Support a holistic approach and the multiple pathways to recovery, to include the use of self-help resources.
• Serve as a role model to clients.
• Educate through shared experiences.
• Establish appropriate respectful peer relationships.
• Mentor clients in areas that support recovery such as effective communication, self-care, self-advocacy, conflict resolution.
• Lead educational and support groups for clients.
• Participate in the treatment team model, to include informing treatment planning.
• Adhere to all defined role responsibility and ethics as outlined by respective Certification Board for Peer Specialist or Advocate.

Qualifications

• 18 year of age or older.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), Certified or credentialed family peer advocate, Certified or credentialed youth peer advocate or NYS Certified Peer Specialist or provisional status to be attained within 90 days of employment and full certification to be attained within NYS Certification Board recognized by OMH and/or OASAS.
• For individuals not yet certified at the time of hire must Identify as being actively in recovery for at least one-year from a SUD or MH condition or and self-disclose one’s recovery journey and be able to submit three letters of reference to the NYS Certification Board to support application for Certified Peer Specialist of Advocate.
• Attest to the respective Certification Board Code of Ethical Conduct for Peer Specialists or Advocate.
• Previous experience preferred working with individuals with complex substance use and mental health needs.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License-travel is required.

Our work environment provides the opportunity to grow and learn in a fast-paced atmosphere. We offer competitive benefits and salary to include a low-cost individual health insurance plan, dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 7%), life insurance, voluntary benefits and generous paid time off.

• Direct Deposit
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous PTO Plans (Sick, Vacation and Employee Leave)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Employee Discounts

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver License

Equal Opportunity Employer
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