Peer Counselor - Level II

Family Peer Advocate

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City's premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the-art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women's Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority. 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.

This position is grant funded.

Work Shifts: 8:00 A.M – 4:00 P.M

Purpose of Position: The Caring Transitions Team is comprised of Social Workers, Peer and Family Advocates, a Transitions Coordinator, and a Medical Director, who will support children, youth, and their families who present at H+H hospitals in Bronx following a suicide attempt or serious suicidal behavior, from point of entry until 90 days post-discharge. The Caring Transitions Team will engage with youth and families upon presentation to the ED or direct admission. If interested in participating, the team will follow them throughout the hospital course, participating in aftercare planning. Upon discharge the team ensure that youth are connected to outpatient treatment, provide caregivers with tools to understand and identify risk factors and warning signs of suicide, assist the youth in developing life-affirming goals, and develop the capacity of other trusted adults and community supports in the lives of the youth and families they serve. In certain cases, the team will provide bridging care/treatment until the youth is connected to outpatient services.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Family Peer Advocate is an integral part of this interdisciplinary team. Under supervision, the candidate for the position uses their lived experience navigating one or more systems that serve children and families. They are a parent or primary caregiver of a child or young person with significant social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, behavioral health, and/or suicide attempts. The Family Peer Advocate provides direct services to families in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers

General Tasks and Responsibilities: • Working with families to discern their strengths, needs, and priorities • Empowering parents/guardians by increasing their knowledge and skills • Helping families understand mental health diagnoses, medication, and treatment options • Engaging patients, parents and/or caretakers and/or community providers, as applicable, and provides resources and assistance needed to address issues preventing them from staying healthy

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.

Department Preferences: CRPA-F certification is preferred Family Advocate Certification preferred

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

How To Apply: If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online.