Peer Counselor

About NYC Health + Hospitals

Empower Every New Yorker — Without Exception — to Live the Healthiest Life Possible

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the United States. We provide essential outpatient, inpatient and home-based services to more than one million New Yorkers every year across the city’s five boroughs. Our large health system consists of ambulatory centers, acute care centers, post-acute care/long-term care, rehabilitation programs, Home Care, and Correctional Health Services. Our diverse workforce is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible.

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.
Job Description
Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to clients in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, clients, 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.

General tasks and responsibilities will include:

Assists the client with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting, and other skills relevant to an individual’s personal goals)
May make shelter and home visits.
Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to peer support, domestic violence 101; safety planning; trauma and recovery; and socialization.
Assists the client in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse; barriers to safety; and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to safety planning, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies and 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 client 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 client in completing applications and paperwork 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 client 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
In addition to performing the duties of Assignment Levels I and II at a more difficult and responsible level, performs the following tasks:

Supervises and instructs Peer Counselors in assignments – Levels I and II, volunteers, interns/students and other related auxiliary staff.
Coordinates and reviews the work of subordinate staff, providing direction and corrective measures to ensure the achievement of departmental goals.
Provides advocacy to and consultation for difficult client cases requiring a higher level of knowledge and expertise.
Initiates and participates in special studies and research projects.
Represents the department at conferences, workshops, in-house service, health care setting or community functions and reports actions and findings to the department.
Minimum Qualifications
For Assignments in Mental Health:
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; and
2. Certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) issued by the Peer Specialist Certification Board.
For Assignments in Substance Use:
1. Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) issued by the New York Certification Board.
For all other Assignments:
1. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; or
3. 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.
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 three (3) above.
Department Preferences

CERTIFICATION(S)/NYS LICENSE(S):

Certification 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 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
Two (2) additional years of experience

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL:

A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.

KNOWLEDGEABLE IN: 

Domestic violence/intimate partner abuse and impact on mental health.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Bilingual – English/Spanish

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

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
Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees’ Collectively bargained contracts
College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
Multiple employee discounts programs