Peer Counselor - Lvl II

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

SHIFT II 9:00AM-5:00PM

Job Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION

Under supervision, the Peer Counselor Level Il provides direct services to consumers in Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Treatment Programs, including the emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, home, and specialized settings. The Peer Counselor Il works in close collaboration with staff, consumers, and other caregivers in recovery planning including systematic screening for substance use disorders in medical emergency departments, 2. support from "Addiction Leads," to navigate patients to outpatient SUD Specialty Care Services, 3. championing safety planning including the distribution of naloxone for overdose prevention, and 4. referral and navigation to treatment, including medication to support recovery (such buprenorphine for opioid-dependent individuals). The Peer Counselor-Il empowers service recipients through education, self-disclosure and guidance toward self-advocacy.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Works within the SUD services to provide, patient support, advocacy, system linkage, coordination of care and provides direct including:

• Addiction Consult Service
• Centralized Intake Unit
• Cultivating Dreams Together Outpatient Services (CDTOPS)
• In Community Services to promote engagement and retention in treatment

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides supportive peer counseling concerning substance use and mental health issues.
• Assists the consumer in identifying their warning signs of relapse and helps the consumer develop coping strategies.
• Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to dual diagnoses issues, relapse, and recovery and socialization.
• Assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing, supportive services, wellness, and social services. determine whether the service is connected.
• Facilitates the establishment of positive peer support networks, natural supports, and social support systems.
• Assist the consumer in completing paperwork regarding social services and may accompany the consumer on visits to service agencies, ADL tasks, and treatment programs.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and recovery planning.
• Establishes and maintains positive, professional relationships with the multidisciplinary team, human services team, patients and community while demonstrating effective and professional communication.
• Maintains current, complete, and appropriate documentation in the consumer record, prepares required forms, and may be required to use computer systems in carrying out these functions. Documents in Electronic Health Record (EHR) and writes progress notes for review.

For Assignment to Level Il:

• Acts as a preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level l.
• Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
• Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and service delivery systems.
• Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.
• Other duties as assigned including cross-coverage:
• Integrated Outpatient Services (IOS) Clinic, including Mental Health Care Clinics
• Mobile Crisis Unit
• ED Addiction Leads
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)- Adult step-down program

Minimum Qualifications

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.
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.
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 Assignment Level I 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