Peer Specialist

Job summary:

The Peer Specialist’s role will involve intensive community outreach on the streets and coordinating participant’s needs before and after their move from street to home, enhancing their daily living skills, accompaniment to appointments, and advocating on their behalf when faced with discrimination or healthcare inequities. Member choice, harm reduction, non-coercion, flexibility and person-centered care are essential elements of the SOS program model and should be front and center of the care delivered by the Peer Specialist.

The SOS teams will continue to follow participants for several months after housing placement to ensure their stability, independence, and wellbeing in their new community. The role will require field-based work, periodic on call coverage, and a willingness to work flexible hours. On job training will be provided around CTI and regular learning collaborative will be available to enhance the Case Manager’s professional development.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent or higher. New York State Certified Peer Specialist (CPRA) required. Past or current participant of behavioral health, substance services or homeless services preferred.

Job Responsibilities:

· Persistent and assertive outreach and engagement using strength-based approaches beginning either at known “hang-outs” or “Hot spots" or during an inpatient hospital admission or emergency department visit

· Continuously assess the health and social needs of participants through SOS’s conversational and observational assessments and formalized risk assessments tools for those identified as being at high risk;

· Participate in hospital discharge planning meetings to identify the best community resources for returning patients;

• Collect and report data, as required and work with team leader, data analyst and other SOS teams to use data to inform future care delivery

· Once housed work with participants and their housing providers to resolve clinical issues that are impacting on the participant’s ability manage, and retain supportive housing;

· Foster relationship with community provides to ensure that recipients are connected with appropriate services as they transition back into the community;

· Appointment navigation including accompaniment to appointments, travel training, reengagement in community care, and addressing barriers to care.

· Obtain historical and collateral information from multiple sources to support participants behavioral and physical health needs;

· Monitor, evaluate and record participants progress with respect to care plan goals;

· Attend and participate in team meetings and supervisory sessions.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Experience working with homeless and/or precariously housed populations preferred but not required;

Knowledge of homeless resources in the Southern Tier

· Knowledge of counseling principles and methods for mental illness and substance use disorders

· Knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to recipient/residents, families, and staff;

· Ability to develop, evaluate, implement, and modify treatment intervention to meet the needs of individual recipients;

· Ability to prepare accurate and timely reports;

· Computer proficiency and good documentation skills.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only job-related duties to be performed by the employee. You will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by your supervisor.

This position requires travel throughout the three counties we serve; Chenango, Broome and Otsego

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Norwich, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $22 - $24