Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Peer Counselor, under supervision, in collaboration with CPEP staff, consumers and other caregivers, facilitates and implements plans to help the patient successfully reintegrate into the community post-discharge from CPEP or Inpatient. Peer Counselor relies on both training and life experiences to model healthy and helpful behavior for patients who are willing to participate in making a post-discharge plan that includes any or all of the following peer-led services: promotion of personal wellness, ongoing community and emotional support, skill building, and transition to self-care. Peer Counselor provides direct services and models resilient behaviors to patients emerging from a behavioral health crisis to help empower these peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

With the supervision of a Peer Counselor Level III and/or Social Worker Level IV/V, Peer Counselor Level I

• Contacts eligible CPEP patients to elicit any interest in Peer Bridger Services
• Facilitates a Plan of Services for patients assigned
• Provides any or all of the following services to assigned clients
  • Establishing reliable channels of communication with clients and their families
  • Escorting clients into the community and making home visits as needed
  • Facilitating community-based support meetings with multiple clients
  • Facilitating warm hand offs to Community Health Worker for care management support
  • Introducing clients to community-based support groups and resources
  • Engaging one or more clients in skills building activities such as, but not limited to, effective self-advocacy, use of mass transit, enjoyment of free and low-cost events, improved nutrition and self-care
  • Offering ongoing emotional support to clients and families
  • Accompanying clients and families on the transitional journey toward health care self-reliance
• Engages patients with housing insecurity or homelessness in order to
  • Gauge patient's interest in receiving services for housing coordination
  • Facilitate warm hand offs to onsite or community-based resources for housing support
  • Escort patients to assessments, shelters, or safe havens
• Documents interventions and plan results in the EMR
• Discusses with Peer Counselor III and/or SW IV/V patients who are approaching transition to health care self-reliance to make an effective transition plan
• Acts as preceptor for Peer Counselor I
• Works closely with interdisciplinary team in CPEP as well as with related social and community agencies
• Participates in investigations, quality assurance and performance improvement activities as required by Departmental leadership

Minimum Qualifications

For Assignments in Mental Health:
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; and
2. Certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) issued by the Peer Specialist Certification Board.

For Assignments in Substance Use:
1. Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) issued by the New York Certification Board.

For all other Assignments:
1. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; or
3. 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.

Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level II requires:
1. One (1) additional year of experience, as described in three (3) above.

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