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

9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M (Tues - Sat)

Duties & Responsibilities

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to Behavioral Health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Peer counselors in inpatient work in close collaboration with treatment team staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Peer counselors empower service recipients through education, self-disclosure and guidance toward self-advocacy. Peer counselors support service recipients in resolving problems and moving toward goals by modeling strengths-based recovery journey. Peer counselors contribute to a welcoming environment for individuals with complex needs including behavioral health, chemical dependency, and physical health.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient support, advocacy, system linkage, coordination of care.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Peer Supervisor, the Level Il Peer Counselor is responsible for:

Assignment Level I Typical Tasks:

• Monitoring and assessing patients' recovery and rehabilitation process; assuring continuity of care in accordance with patients' treatment plans.
• Leads or co-leads groups (on and off unit groups) including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, child/adolescent care, relapse and recovery and socialization.
• Providing information and assistance linking patients to self-help and peer-run resources.
• Sharing lived experience as a way of encouraging consumers on their mental health recovery journey.
• Providing outreach services to patients in order to facilitate continuity and integration of care.
• Conducting orientation, support and educational groups to patients and their families.
• Documenting clinical care provided in the patients' medical record according to hospital policies and procedures, OMH, JCAHO standards and NYS regulations.
• Participating in interdisciplinary teams in determining and implementing a comprehensive patient-centered plan of care.
• Demonstrating knowledge and awareness of the organization's Patient Safety Goals.
• Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
• Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, and other self-help opportunities.
• Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
• 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.
• Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
• Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
• Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
• 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 Il Typical Tasks:

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

• Acts as 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 within service delivery' systems.
• Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.

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.

Benefits

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
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• College Savings Program
• Union Benefits for eligible titles
• Multiple employee discounts programs
• Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.