Peer Bridger

NYAPRS

PEER BRIDGER JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:               Peer Bridger

Division:        Peer Services

Reports to:    Ellen Healion, Director of Peer Bridger Services

Position Summary: Under the general supervision of the Director of the Peer Bridger Services, the Peer Bridger engages referred individuals who are residing in the Psychiatric Center and OMH Housing Programs.  Peer Bridger coordinates activities to form trust-based relationships that foster hope for positive change and personal empowerment, leading to successful integration back into the community.  The Peer Bridger models and educates staff and referred individuals on the Peer Bridger Model to maintain its fidelity of the model. Peer Bridger is a paid staff member of NYAPRS.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Maintains own personal wellness.
• Provides support with flexibility and Person First logic.
• Maintains fidelity to the Peer Bridger Model, to continue to engage individuals residing in State Psychiatric Centers and OMH residential facilities, regardless of perceived ability to participate.
• Initiate and maintain regular communications/meetings with referred individuals using multiple communication techniques including, but not limited to, the use of technology, face-to-face meetings, phone calls, e-mails, etc.
• Provide support to referred individuals that have opportunities to visit certain locations within the community that are meaningful to him/her.
• Continue support to referred individuals post-discharge to identify and engage in a range of community-based support groups and activities of interest.
• Provides timely reporting to Supervisor/Liaison of situations that require(d) urgent response.
• Is able to and does interact with a wide variety of individuals experiencing a wide variety of abilities in activities and/or group meetings.
• Organizes and coordinates activities, meetings, and training that include referred individuals.
• Provide regularly scheduled opportunities for staff information and training on the Peer Bridger Model.
• Facilitates a minimum of 8 weekly peer support group meetings in the hospital and/or the community.
• Attends training as required and assigned by supervisor.
• Communicates with OMH Hospital Liaison on a regular basis, including the NYAPRS Supervisor at times.