Mobile Peer Specialist

Job Title: Mobile Crisis Peer Specialist

Job Location: Garrison, NY

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday – 12 PM to 8:00 PM (40 Hours Per Week)

Payrate: $24.03 per hour

Job Summary: People USA will provide a Mobile Peer Specialist in who will provide people living with mental health, substance use, or social determinant of health issues with peer advocacy & crisis intervention throughout the Putnam County area. Using the mutuality of shared lived experiences, the Peer Specialists will help people get started on and continue their own positive pathways to behavioral health and wellness.

The Putnam County Mobile Crisis Outreach Team provides community-based crisis response and interventions including tirage, screening, assessment, referrals/linkage to appropriate care, as well as care collaboration with community providers and follow-up services.

• Addresses referrals from community providers, including referrals via warm hand-offs
• Work in collaboration with community providers, team members, and external partners
• Build peer-to-peer connections/relationships based on mutuality (shared lived experiences), empathy, and hope for recovery/wellness (peers-as-proof)
• Advocate for the participant by understanding the individual through a trauma-informed lens.
• Support participants toward recovery goals and wellness goals related to SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness
• Directly connect individuals to appropriate levels of care and community resources as appropriate
• Triage and Screen referrals, support participants through safety planning in conjunction with MCOT clinician
• Provide Follow-up support for participants
• Complete documentation according to Agency and Program policies and procedures
• Consistently support People USA’s mission to instill a sense of hope, empowerment, and self-determination in people living with mental health concerns that fosters a sense of recovery and a transition to wellness
• Other duties as assigned
• The Peer Specialist will represent the peer perspective (i.e., persons with lived experiences with behavioral health challenges).

• Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, language, and behaviors reflect such values.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and the community.
• Understanding of available community support.
• Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements related to records pertaining to Mental Health and Chemical Dependency laws.
• Must have good time management skills and be self-directing.
• Must have reliable transportation - Personal Preferred
• Must have a Valid/Clean Drivers License to meet company's insurance standards.
• High School Diploma Required.

• At least two years in recovery from acute care environment
• Completion of the Academy of Peer Services Training and the ability to obtain the NY State Peer Specialist Certification
• A shared vision of hope for people experiencing a crisis.
• Work or Volunteer experience providing peer support, advocacy, or human services, experience with Crisis preferred.
• Basic knowledge of community support services/resources
• Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training (preferred).
• Understanding of recovery and wellness vs. illness-based system (preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of histories, patterns and issues relating to mental health and substance use crisis
• Professional demeanor.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Reports to: Program Director - Cheryl Spencer - Frost

People USA recruits, employee train and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. People USA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. People USA expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of People USA's employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.

People USA promotes within no matter the race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

• Entry level

• Full-time

• Other

• Mental Health Care