Peer Counselor - Lvl III

Provider Careers at NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment. 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

Responsibilities 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. Assignment Level III In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level III requires: 1. Two (2) additional years of experience, as described in Assignment Level I above. Duties & Responsibilities Purpose of Position Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model. Examples of Typical Tasks At a more difficult and responsible level, performs the duties of Assignment Level I:

1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual’s rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.
2. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization.
3. Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
4. Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast-feeding education and other self-help opportunities.
5. Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
6. 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.
7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
8. Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
9. Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
10. 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.

At a more difficult and responsible level, also performs the duties of Assignment Level II:

1. Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
2. Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
3. Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and within service delivery systems.
4. Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.

In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Levels I and II at a more difficult and responsible level, as described above, performs the following tasks:

1. Supervises and instructs Peer Counselors in Assignments Levels I and II, volunteers, interns/students and other related auxiliary staff.
2. Coordinates and reviews the work of subordinate staff, providing direction and corrective measures to ensure the achievement of departmental goals.
3. Provides consultation for difficult cases requiring a higher level of knowledge and expertise.
4. Initiates and participates in special studies and research projects.
5. Represents the department at conferences, workshops, in-house service, health care setting or community functions and reports actions and findings to the department.

JOB DETAILS

$53,766 - $60,092 Full-Time

CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY

Behavioral Health Sep 4, 2026

LOCATION

NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem 506 Lenox Avenue New York, NY 10037 135 St (2,3) , 145 St (3) 15 minutes walk from nearest station to the hospital. ABOUT NYC Health + Hospitals NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, annually serving more than a million New Yorkers in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our mission is to care for all, without exception. #J-18808-Ljbffr New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation