Peer Counselor – Level I (CATCH Team)

About NYC Health + Hospitals

In its century of service, Coney Island Hospital has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. The hospital has been recognized for its clinical innovations in Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine, Nuclear Medicine and Emergency Services. The hospital’s staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.
Job Description
Acts as a role model of mental health recovery for patients in both in and outpatient services.
Engages with hospitalized consumers to provide support, encouragement and an individualized link for post discharge follow up.
Provides education and training on recovery, and other consumer issues to patients, families, and service providers, on and off site.
Advocates for the needs of consumers within mental health and other service delivery systems.
Makes recommendations to the treatment teams providing the consumer’s point of view.
Makes follow up outreach phone calls, and written contacts to patients discharged from our inpatient programs. Encourages compliance, assist in problem solving and/or reconnecting to services when barriers to treatment are identified.
Clarifies issues for the patient and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing and other supportive services, when needed.
Contacts treatment providers to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care. Creates new linkages as needed.
May escorts patients for trial and/ intake visits within the department to enhance continuity of care.
Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, discharge planning, wellness/recovery, relapse prevention, and transition support in both in and outpatient settings.
Assists the patients in identifying their warning signs of relapse and developing individual coping strategies.
May provide individual supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies and self-help opportunities.
May facilitate the establishment of peer support networks, and other social support systems.
Maintains documentation in the patient’s record, keeps statistics and reports as requested.  Documents utilizing computer systems to carrying out functions.
Attends and participates in team, discipline, departmental and other meetings on or off site, as assigned
Perform all duties in alignment with the mission, vision, values, and behavioral expectations of NYC Health + Hospitals

Minimum Qualifications
Assignment Level I

For Assignments in Mental Health:

1. Certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and

2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer 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 Assignments in Substance Use:

1. Certification 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 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 Assignments:

1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer 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; 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.

Please be advised that proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required prior to hire.