PEER SPECIALIST

Overview

Provide peer counseling and advocacy to men, women and children who receive psychiatric services at BronxCare Health System. Contribute to the delivery of high-quality care under the direct supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional.

Responsibilities

-Establishes and maintains positive relationships with patients, visitors, and other employees. Interacts professionally, courteously, and appropriately with patients, visitors and other employees. Behaves in a manner consistent with maintaining and furthering a positive public perception of BronxCare Health System and its employees.

-Contributes to and participates in the Performance/Quality Improvement activities of the assigned department. Contribution and participation includes data collection, analysis, implementation of and compliance with risk management and claims activities, support of and participation in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) teams, consistent adherence to the specific rules and regulations of the BronxCare Health System (a) Safety and Security Policies, (b) Risk Management: Incident and Occurrence Reporting, (c) Infection Control Policies and Procedures and (d) Patient and Customer Service.

-Participates in treatment team meetings, case conferences, individual supervision, and discharge planning discussions.

-Develop, with patients, individualized strategies for reducing negative consequences of drug use and not taking medication for mental illness.

-Promotes problem-solving and decision making skill development in relation to maintaining recovery.

-Participates in clinical supervision provided onsite at BronxCare Health System. 

-Advocates on behalf of patients as appropriate; encourage and support self-advocacy; conducts post-discharge follow-up calls and outreach as needed. 

-Recommends post-discharge supports, including psychosocial clubhouses, peer support services and other community resources that support the recovery process.

-Develops, leads and co-leads groups, i.e. WRAP, community integration, recovery, relapse prevention, socialization, symptom management, etc. utilizing Motivational Interviewing skills.

-Document activities in accordance with guidance and direction from supervisors.

Qualifications

High school or GED required

Completion of Comprehensive Peer Specialist Training. Strong interpersonal skills. Works well in team of interdisciplinary professionals. Willing to accept guidance from supervisor. Comfortable working in fast-paced environment. Strong group facilitation skills