Peer Support Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager – MH Unique Peerspectives

Location: 572 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY

Pay Rate: $18.60

Schedule: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The people we care for come from all walks of life, and so do we. We strive to diversify our workforce, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our agency stronger!

About Us

With a history stretching back more than 70 years, AccessCNY is continually growing and expanding our reach. Offering person-centered services that empower individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential as part of our community. Our focus is supporting individuals by ways of residential housing, mental health and clinical services, and immersing our participants in community engagement. Working closely with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Mental Health, we support 27 housing locations and 3 administrative buildings.

About the Role:

We are looking for a proactive employee to provide an array of recovery support services for the participants of Unique Peerspectives in conjunction with maintaining program operations under the direction of the Program Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Recognize the role of peers in the recovery process and appropriately share one’s experiences living with a mental health diagnosis to encourage others in their recovery
• Actively engage peers in identifying barriers to recovery goals and developing strategies to overcome those barriers
• Proactively balance time spent providing individual services, educational or support groups, and modeling healthy relationships in center living room spaces
• Provide support and services as requested by individuals and documented in their recovery/service plans
• Promote advocacy with participants by seeking out services, promoting choice, and assisting in their understanding of rights and responsibilities
• Encourage and support opportunities that promote natural connections within each participant’s community
• Understand the distinction between peer recovery support services and adult behavioral health Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) services and provides appropriate support as required
• Respond to crisis situations by using good judgment through prevention, intervention, resolution, and reporting to ensure the safety and well-being of participants
• Assist in the referral processes for Agency and community programs in a timely manner
• In collaboration with peers, develop recovery/service plans to address identified barriers to individual success
• Maintain documentation on all contacts with peers in the form of progress notes, service plans and service plan reviews in accordance with Agency standards and procedures Track individual and program outcomes as requested by the Program Manager
• Possess knowledge/awareness of a broad range of community resources that promote mental and physical health and encourages participant involvement in areas of interest
• Facilitate positive communication with other departments and accept assignments in
• Provide person-centered, quality services
• Demonstrate effective time management skills
• Observe confidentiality and safeguards all participant related information
• Follow Agency standards and procedures
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, as well as company policies
• Perform Other Duties as Assigned

Education/Experience:

High school diploma/GED, required. Applicants must have a psychiatric disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, be in recovery for at least 1 year, and be willing to share personal experiences about their mental health journey. OMH-endorsed Peer Credential, expected (New York Certified Peer Specialist Certification: NYCPS). If applicant does not hold a NYCPS, they must seek provisional credentialing within 6 months of hire.

Conditions of Employment:

Must have a valid NYS Driver License in accordance with the Agency Vehicle and Driving policy and reliable transportation necessary to meet program needs. Must respect confidentiality.

Did you know that AccessCNY offers great health, dental and vision insurance? Additionally, we provide a 401(k) match upon hire, PTO, and 11 paid holidays.