OMH Peer Specialist (Youth Suicide Prevention Program)

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities

• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays 

• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability

• Employer-matched retirement saving funds 

• Personal and financial wellness programs  

• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care  and commuter transit program

• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees 

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement  

• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities   

• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals 

What You Will Do

• Conducts phone and field outreach to locate and enroll clients/consumers/members into programs services

• Builds relationship and trust with clients and their family/caregiver and assists with their interactions with professionals on the team 

• Works collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team to discuss care needs and identify solutions to support clients/consumers/members 

• Applies mutually shared and lived experiences to build relationships and trust with the client/consumers/members

• Educates clients/consumers/members about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques. Serves as a role model, advocate and mentor. Escorts clients/consumers/members to appointments as needed 

• Advocates effective recovery-based services on behalf of clients/consumers/members. Assists in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals 

• Teaches and models symptom management and coping skills for resilience. Empowers clients to take a proactive role in their recovery process

• Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoing education, guidance, support and encouragement 

• Develops inventory of resources that will meet the client's needs as identified in the assessment and or-treatment process

• Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect with community-based services and supports 

• Documents in EMR in accordance with program policies/procedures, VNS Health standards, and city, state and federal regulatory requirements 

• Assists clients/consumers/members with transition to alternate housing, when appropriate 

• Participates in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision and training programs

• Develops a mutual self-disclosure between themselves and clients/consumers/members. Serves as a bridge between team members and participant

• For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinical (CCBHC): 

• Educates clients about the different types of treatment available, including medications for addiction treatment 

• Helps clients identify their strengths as well as obstacles to their recovery 

• Assists clients with applying for benefits 

• Provides resources for external and post-discharge services

• Participates as part of interdisciplinary team in discussion of, planning for and actively participating in treatment goals for clients/consumers/members 

• For IMT, ACT, MC, OMH Suicide Prevention:

• Practice regularly in the community, including traveling to patients’ homes, or schools, to engage frequently with clients. Navigate emergency situations 

About the Program

Safe Pathways Suicide Prevention

Safe Pathways Suicide Prevention is a specialized outreach and intervention program serving LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth and young adults who may be at risk for suicide.

Why Join This Program:  Advance health equity and save lives by supporting underserved youth through prevention, outreach, and compassionate care.

• High school diploma or equivalent required 

• Minimum of one year experience in a mental health, substance use treatment program, health care or human services setting, preferred

• Experience working with a severely mentally ill, psychological trauma, and/or substance using population, preferred

• Effective oral/written/interpersonal communication and relationship building skills required

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team

• Computer literacy (electronic health records, word processing, e-mail, internet research, data entry), required

• Valid New York State driver’s license, as determined by operational/regional needs

• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, preferred