Peer Counselor - Lvl I

Kings County Hospital Center has a rich legacy for its pioneering role in medicine. Today, with over 625 beds, our hospital remains on the cutting edge of technology and provides the most modern procedures with state-of-the-art equipment. Built in 1831 as a one room infirmary for publicly supported care of the sick, Kings County Hospital Center continues to be a leading healthcare facility whose mission is to provide care to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital provides a wide range of health services, and specialties are offered in all fields of modern medicine. More than 200 clinics provide a wide array of ambulatory care services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts

9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M

Job Description

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision, peer counselors contribute to the treatment team in a variety of ways, most importantly by creating a welcoming environment for individuals with complex behavioral health, chemical dependence, and/or physical health needs. Peer Counselors work in close collaboration with staff, consumers, and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. They empower service recipients to self-advocate through education, self-disclosure, and guidance. Peer counselors model strengths-based recovery strategies that will aid service recipients in resolving problems and reaching goals.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Patient engagement, support, and advocacy; system linkage; coordination of care.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision, the Level 1 Peer Counselor is responsible for:

• Sharing lived experience as a way of encouraging consumers on their mental health recovery journey.
• Engaging patients to motivate them to set positive goals and help them better understand the purpose and benefits of their time spent in the therapeutic milieu of the unit.
• Assisting patients in seeking clarification about the treatment and recovery process during their interactions with the treatment team
• Collaborating with other treatment team members to provide advocacy, referral, and linkage to the community resources and benefits.
• Leading or co-leading groups concerning, but not limited to,

o orientation to the mental healthcare setting

o dual diagnoses issues,

o relapse and recovery,

o socialization

o support for patients and their families

• Documenting care provided in the patient's medical record, especially through the use of Epic group flowsheets and note templates.
• Participating in interdisciplinary treatment meetings to ensure that peer services provided align with goals in the comprehensive patient-centered plan of care and recovery plan.
• Participating in departmental meetings and supervision.
• Exemplifying CARE values in all their interactions with patients and colleagues.

Minimum Qualifications

Assignment Level I
For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a
a. Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or
b. Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or
c. Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPA-P), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional (YPA-P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For Substance Use Assignments:
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance use disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Mental Health Assignments:
3. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and
4. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
Qualification Requirements (Continued):
For All Other Assignments (Including Breastfeeding Education Assignments):
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services; and
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week.
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans.
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees.
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts.
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities.
• Multiple employee discounts programs.