Peer Specialist LGBTQIA &MH Cl

Peer Specialist

The Peer Specialist provides emotional support, mentorship, advocacy, and resource navigation for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Peer Specialists use their lived experience to foster hope, reduce stigma, and empower clients in their recovery journey. They work closely with clinicians and case managers to ensure holistic and patient-centered care.

• Provide one-on-one and group-based peer support to LGBTQIA+ patients.
• Utilize lived experience to provide guidance, encouragement, and empowerment to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• Facilitate peer support groups on topics such as identity affirmation, navigating healthcare, self-advocacy, and coping strategies.
• Assist clients in accessing community resources, including housing, legal services, healthcare, and social support.
• Provide education and advocacy on LGBTQIA+ mental health, self-care, harm reduction, and wellness strategies.
• Offer guidance and support to help patients navigate gender-affirming care, including referrals to appropriate services and providers.
• Collaborate with therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, and case managers as part of a multidisciplinary care team to provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care.
• Support crisis intervention efforts by connecting patients with appropriate resources and offering emotional support.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, clinic initiatives as requested to improve LGBTQIA+ mental health services.
• Document all services and interactions in the electronic medical record in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with clinic policies.

Education:

• Certification and completion of a Peer Specialist Training through an approved training program (e.g., OMH- or OASAS-recognized), required.

Experience:

• Lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use recovery, or navigating systems of care as an LGBTQIA+ individual.
• Minimum of (1) year experience of working in a peer support role preferred.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities, community resources, and the impact of minority stress and trauma.
• Ability to provide nonjudgmental, strengths-based and recovery-oriented support to diverse patients.
• Experience with group facilitation, crisis intervention, or community engagement is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. (Bilingual speaking is preferable, not mandatory.)
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care.

USD $40,000.00 - USD $48,750.00 /Yr.

Maimonides Medical Center (MMC) is an equal opportunity employer.