Peer Counselor - Level II

Peer Counselor

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America's oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine, the 844-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with its 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. It sees more than 110,000 emergency room visits and 700,000 outpatient visits annually. Bellevue is an academic medical institution of international renown. We have served as an incubator for major innovations in public health, medical science, and medical education. Bellevue is a Level I Trauma Center delivering around-the-clock care in adult, pediatric, psychiatric and pediatric psychiatric emergencies as well as in the nationally-designated categories of cardiology, neurology, toxicology, and neonatology. In addition to providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient state-of-the-art care Bellevue is a city-wide medical specialty referral source. Bellevue's clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Comprehensive Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer 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.

This position is grant funded.

Work Shifts: 9:00 A.M – 5:00 P.M. Weekend and holiday rotation required. 35 hours per week.

Duties & Responsibilities: 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: 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. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization. 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, breast-feeding education 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. Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I. 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): 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 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: 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 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: 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 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): 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 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: One (1) additional year of experience, as described in Assignment Level I above.

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