Peer Counselor-Level II-Inpatient Behavior Health

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City's premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women's Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority.

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.

Visit us at www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/lincoln.

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in an emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model. There are three (3) Assignment Levels in this class of position.

Assignment Level I

Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual's rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.
2. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization.
3. Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
4. Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast-feeding education and other self-help opportunities.
5. Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
6. Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing and supportive services. Follows-up to determine whether services were provided and used.
7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
8. Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
9. Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
10. 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.

Assignment II

In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Level I at a more difficult and responsible level, performs the following tasks:

Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Acts as a preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
2. Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
3. Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and service delivery systems.
4. Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.

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[1]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.

Assignment Level III

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level III requires:
1. Two (2) additional years 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 or forward your resume, noting the above Job ID #, to:

Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
Human Resources Department
234 Eugenio Maria De Hostos Blvd, (East 149th Street),
2nd Floor, Annex
Bronx, NY 10451
Attn: Recruitment Unit

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