Job Abstract

JOB SUMMARY

This is a supported housing program for individuals living in the community in permanent scattered-site housing. Under the general supervision of the Program Director, the Peer Specialist serve as role models, educate individuals about self-help techniques, teach effective coping strategies based on personal experience, teach symptom management skills, assist in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals and assist in the development of community support systems and networks. The Peer Specialist assists assigned individuals in developing and maintaining viable living, working and social situations in the community by obtaining needed medical, social, psychosocial, educational, financial, vocational and other services. Participates in the provision of crisis intervention services to participants. The majority of duties are often performed independently under general supervision of the Program Director. The Peer Specialist assists individuals through supportive counseling to participate as fully as possible in the life of the community with the intent of achieving individual goals that foster personal growth and the highest level of independence possible and desired.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: List all essential job duties. (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.)

1. Counsel individuals regarding health and mental health care needs, and aids the individuals to mobilize inner capabilities and environmental resources in order to continue independence in the community.

2. Educates recipients about self-help techniques as part of the social and community integration.

3. Teaches residents effective coping strategies based on personal and lived experiences.

4. Teaches symptom management and medication management.

5. Assists in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals.

6. Assists in maintaining up-to-date, accurate individuals case records on each individual.

7. Assists in obtaining and developing resource information for residents in all aspects of their care; disseminates this information to recipients in a manner that is clear and understandable.

1. Assist individuals in meeting service plan goals that are person-centered and a Whole Health approach.
2. Helps facilitate individualized services to help support individuals to thrive in the community.

10. Assists in referring individuals to internal services, community resources and other organizations. Accompany individuals with medical visits, treatment facilities, social agencies, government offices, or other locations associated with the treatment or.

11. Advocates on behalf of the individuals with outside service providers and within ICL.

12. Assists individuals in finding and getting into vocational training or other training opportunities, and works with other team members in addressing the needs of individuals

13. Provide health and mental health support, social and community integration.

14. Complies with attendance and timekeeping rules and reports reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis.

15. Attends regularly scheduled clinical meetings, staff meetings and supervision as well as in-service training and development activities.

16. Complies with agency infection control policies.

17. .Other job-related duties that may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

· Ability to work with residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.

· Ability to serve as a role model to individuals.

· Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner.

· Ability to communicate effectively with staff, residents, families, and the public.

· Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned.

· Ability to secure the cooperation of and work effectively with others

· Ability to work independently, and to conform to all applicable safety and accountability measures

· Knowledge of how disabilities can adversely affect functioning and ways to cope with or overcome such effects

· Ability to read and write at least at a 12th grade level and to follow written and oral instructions

· Ability to accompany or transport residents throughout New York City (some assignments may require possession of a valid driver's license).

· Ability to be empathetic and supportive to residents instructing, demonstrating, modeling, and encouraging appropriate behavior and skills

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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of an internship or comparable training in peer advocacy preferred; experience in providing advocacy services to people who are mentally ill and/or homeless.

Past or current recipient of mental health, substance services or homeless services preferred.