Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

Mission Statement

Are you ready to give back to the community while pursuing your passion?  For over 50 years, Acacia Network and its affiliates have been committed to improving the quality-of-life and wellbeing of underserved communities in New York City and beyond.  We are one of the leading human services organizations in New York City and the largest Hispanic-led nonprofit in the State, serving over 150,000 individuals every year. Our programs serve individuals at every age and developmental level, from the very young through our daycare programs to mature adults through our older adults centers. Our extensive array of community-based services are fully integrated, bilingual and culturally competent.

Position Overview

The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate requires someone who is culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of the targeted population, possess excellent computer skills, be able to function as a part of an inter-disciplinary team and have understanding of therapy and group work rooted in evidenced based approaches for intervention and management strategies. Certified Recovery Peer Advocate services are peer-delivered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus. They are designed to promote skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms while facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of recovery-oriented principles (e.g. hope and self-efficacy, and community living skills). The Certified Recovery Peer Advocate uses trauma-informed, non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from a behavioral health disorder. 

Under supervision of the Program Director, the requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The provider ensures strengths based, person centered quality of care provided in a culturally and linguistically meaningful therapeutic environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA to perform the essential functions of the job. The functions below outline the general responsibilities associated with this position.  Each of these functions is considered critical to effective department operations and our Mission. It is expected that all staff in this position will have satisfactory attendance and will perform these functions as assigned in a competent, cooperative, and timely manner. The Job Description will be reviewed periodically for accuracy and/or adjusted according to business necessity.

Key Essential Functions

• Provide rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions for clients diagnosed with substance disorders. 
• Help promote skills for coping and managing behavioral health symptoms.
• Provide relapse prevention planning.
• Conduct assessment and groups specific to substance abuse and dependency.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices (EBP) while working with individuals at different stages of change to help individuals reduce use/abstain from substance use.
• Work as a member of multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm handoff referrals, including health homes services.
•  Communicate effectively with clients and collateral contacts and conduct outreach for care coordination.
• Provide advocacy services for clients, including assisting individuals obtain benefits and entitlements, food, housing, and access appropriate care in the community.
• Conduct interim visits with individuals after a discharge from a hospital, rehab, or inpatient stay to facilitate community tenure and increased readiness while waiting for the first post-discharge visit with a community-based mental health provider.
• Assist in the selection and utilization of self-directed recovery tools such as relapse prevention planning.
• Connect individuals to self-help groups in the community.
• Provide recovery education and counseling to individuals and their family members.
• Provide transitional support bridging from an institution (jail, hospital, rehab) to an individual’s home.
• Provide preventative and crisis support services.
• Provide parent skills development and training.
• Conduct groups with families to strengthen social skills, decrease isolation, provide emotional support and create opportunities for ongoing natural support.
• Participate in staff and organizational meetings as requested for care coordination and development of policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate EBP groups.
• Participate as member of the EBP groups’ curriculum development process.
• Complete office duties as needed/required.
• Complete wellness, health promotions activities.  
• Follow-up with the individual and the individual’s family/support network to confirm linkage to Care Coordination, outpatient treatment or other community services.
• Perform additional relevant duties as requested by supervisor/management.
• Follows established policies and procedures.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED 
• Must possess current Certified Recovery Peer Advocate certification.  
  • Provisional certification will be accepted and must obtain full certification within six (6) months from the date of hire. 
• Must obtain Mandated reporter (2 hours) training/certificate within thirty (30) days.
  • Website info: https://nysmandatedreporter.org/TrainingCourses.aspx
• Must obtain training/certification within thirty (30) days of hire.
  • Domestic Violence 
  • Infection Control BASIC (non-medical/nursing staff)
  • HIV
  • Child Abuse
  • Tobacco Cessation
  • Impaired Driver Screening and Assessment
• Must obtain training/certification during in-house orientation.
  • Supporting Recovery with Medications Addictions Treatment (MAT)
• Must obtain SUD training/certificate within thirty (30) days of hire (if applicable)
• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment
• CASAC Canon of Ethics (6 hours)
• Confidentiality related to 42CFR (3 Hours)
• Must be trained in Trauma Informed Care and in Military and Veteran’s culture, or complete training within 1 month of employment.
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to complete work independently as well as in collaboration with team members.
• Must be team oriented with a willingness to be flexible and helpful.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills. 
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred.

Why Join Us?

Acacia Network provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer generous paid time off, including vacation days and paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance. We prioritize the well-being of our employees both professionally and personally.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.