As a valued member of the Behavioral Health Care Management Team, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) utilizes lived experience to model recovery and support Healthfirst members who are struggling with mental health and/or substance use disorders. The PSS works directly with members in both field-based settings and telephonically to support a person-centered approach to care. This includes identifying appropriate resources and facilitating linkage to care, as many of our members require assistance in building the skills to navigate their health care system. Further, the PSS collaborates with the members’ support system and interdisciplinary treatment team to empower, encourage engagement in services, and reduce barriers to change. While encouraging recovery planning, the PSS may administer questionnaires, retrieve necessary documentation, and/or facilitate contact with a Healthfirst Care Manager to conduct other required assessments. When needed and able, the PSS may also support the Healthfirst Care Management Team by providing translation services. An integral part of the Peer Support Specialist’s role is to make community-based field visits to and with members, including on-site hospital, facility-based, and potentially home visits around downstate New York.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Manages designated caseload of members who could benefit from Peer Support services, care coordination, and health navigation
Schedules and conducts multiple field-based visits per day (clustered by geographic areas)
Completes assessments and questionnaires to identify barriers and opportunities for intervention
Works telephonically when not in the field to make outreach calls and receive incoming calls to/from members regarding benefit questions/issues, care coordination, program inquiries, and connecting to their care manager
Generates referrals to providers, community-based resources, and appropriate services and other resources to assist in goal achievement and maintenance of successful health outcomes
Liaise between service providers such as doctors, social workers, discharge planners, and community-based providers to ensure care is coordinated and care needs are addressed
Collaborate as part of the multi-disciplinary health care team to ensure care needs are addressed within members’ care plans and treatment is person-centered
Contributes to corporate goals through ongoing execution of member care plans and member goal achievement and successful coordination with local supports
Documents all encounters with providers, members, and vendors in the appropriate systems in accordance with internal and established documentation procedures
Occasional overtime as necessary
Additional duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent
Certification or Provisional Certification as Peer Specialist or Recovery Peer Advocate
Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload and work effectively within a team, in a fast-paced environment
Work experience requiring effective communication and engagement skills, as well as healthy boundary-setting
Proficient computer skills, including a solid understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
Ability to travel around downstate New York which includes the 5 boroughs, Long Island, Orange County, and Westchester
Preferred Qualifications:
Bilingual in English and one or more language(s): Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese highly preferred
Prior experience in a field-based health care role (home visits a plus)
Experience using health information systems to document and/or retrieve information
Experience with geriatric or other at-risk populations, including their caregivers
Experience in hospital/facility discharge planning
Experience managing member information in a shared network environment using paperless database modules and archival systems
Familiar with areas of NYC, Long Island, and/or lower Westchester
A valid NYS driver's license or ID
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.
If you have a disability under the Americans with Disability Act or a similar law and want a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us by sending an email to careers@Healthfirst.org or calling 212-519-1798 . In your email please include a description of the accommodation you are requesting and a description of the position for which you are applying. Only reasonable accommodation requests related to applying for a position within Healthfirst Management Services will be reviewed at the e-mail address and phone number supplied. Thank you for considering a career with Healthfirst Management Services.
EEO Law Poster and Supplement
All hiring and recruitment at Healthfirst is transacted with a valid “@healthfirst.org” email address only or from a recruitment firm representing our Company. Any recruitment firm representing Healthfirst will readily provide you with the name and contact information of the recruiting professional representing the opportunity you are inquiring about. If you receive a communication from a sender whose domain is not @healthfirst.org, or not one of our recruitment partners, please be aware that those communications are not coming from or authorized by Healthfirst. Healthfirst will never ask you for money during the recruitment or onboarding process.
Hiring Range*:
Greater New York City Area (NY, NJ, CT residents): $39,208 - $52,000
All Other Locations (within approved locations): $34,091 - $49,920
As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, licenses and certifications, and any other factors Healthfirst deems pertinent to the hiring decision.
In addition to your salary, Healthfirst offers employees a full range of benefits such as, medical, dental and vision coverage, incentive and recognition programs, life insurance, and 401k contributions (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Healthfirst believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package wherever its employees work and live.

• The hiring range is defined as the lowest and highest salaries that Healthfirst in “good faith” would pay to a new hire, or for a job promotion, or transfer into this role.