Senior Peer Mentor

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Title: Harm Reduction Senior Peer Mentor

Department: Harm Reduction Services / Behavioral Health

Reports To: Harm Reduction Coordinator

Location: Various Locations (Mobile Health Unit)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

The pay range for this role is generally $37,000-$41,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. Additionally, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time), medical, dental, vision, supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment, a retirement plan that includes employer matching, and more!

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers by feeding people who are hungry, healing families broken apart by violence, and bridging the gaps between people and the compassionate health care they deserve. CHASI serves the most vulnerable individuals, families, and communities with critical services and programs. CHASI provides outreach, education, prevention, and direct support services for populations most affected by health disparities – the poor and working poor, low-income people with chronic illnesses, persons with criminal justice involvement, substance users, domestic violence survivors, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Peer Mentor (SPM) for our Harm Reduction Services conducts outreach to drug using populations to engage persons in services, provides individual education to reduce health-related harm from injection and other drug use, facilitates enrollment in Opioid Use Disorder Medicated Assisted Treatment programs when desired, conducts sterile syringe exchange, trains on opioid overdose reversal, and facilitates HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) counseling and testing. The SPM works in the community, on CHASI’s mobile health unit, and in office-based settings to reach long-term and newer substance users, to partner with them as they set their own goals for improving their health and well-being, and to help them navigate service systems to achieve those goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct street outreach and community presentations to engage and inform drug using individuals about harm reduction interventions.
• Conduct harm reduction-oriented individual and group education encounters with drug users to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases, other infections, and drug overdose.
• Enroll individuals in State-authorized syringe exchange program and provide exchanges that promote the consistent use of sterile syringes and safe collection of used syringes.
• Distribute naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdose and provide group and individual trainings on their correct use.
• Provide HIV, HCV, and STI testing and facilitate linkage to care, in accordance with standards set by NYS Department of Health/AIDS Institute and CHASI (in-house tester training provided).
• Provide information, referral, navigation, and coordination assistance that links individuals to health and human services responsive to their individually expressed needs and interests. Clear focus on referrals to CHASI’s Medication Assisted Treatment Program when indicated.
• Collaborate with harm reduction staff and other CHASI staff on the identification of new venues for outreach and service provision, trends in local drug use, and service providers that are drug user friendly.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate harm reduction education or support groups for substance using individuals.
• Accurately and completely document service provision using hard copy tools and electronic data systems.
• Provide administrative and/or front-desk support on a periodic basis.
• Complete internal and external training to maintain certifications, knowledge, and skills related to harm reduction, culturally competent service delivery, and other job-relevant topics.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and other agency activities.
• Encourage a sense of commitment, camaraderie, and accountability among team members by modeling these qualities.
• Perform all functions in alignment with CHASI’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Recovery Coach Certification or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) required; consideration may be available to obtain within 90 days of hire. Individuals currently holding a Certified Alcohol and Addiction Counselor (CASAC) or CASAC-Trainee may be considered but must complete Recovery Coach or CRPA programs within 90 days of hire.
• Experience working with substance using persons and diverse populations.
• Conversant with harm reduction practices, philosophy, and interventions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

CHASI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and supporting a diverse staff. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.