Peer Counselor (CRPA)
Outreach is seeking a qualified candidate for the full-time Peer Counselor (CRPA) position at REACT.
The scheduled hours for this position are 35 hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM; Tuesday, Thursday 1 PM - 9 PM.
Job Scope:
- Provide peer recovery support to clients by sharing life experiences, assisting clients to develop a recovery plan, linking clients with community based programs supportive of recovery. Peer services may be provided onsite or in the community.
- Assist clients in developing a Recovery Plan
- Maintain communication with the treatment team on behalf of clients
- Document delivered peer services in the Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Attend supervision/staff meetings as appropriate
- Accompany clients to appointments, as needed
- Support program participants in pre-crisis or crisis situations
- Teach participants recovery skills, based on shared life experiences
- Help participants transition from different levels of care, as needed
- Share information with participants about benefits, entitlements, and other supports
- Interact with staff, clients, students and visitors in a courteous, professional and respectful manner that is consistent with the agency's mission and values.
- Produce accurate, neat and thorough work.
- Prioritize and plan work time efficiently; effectively manage competing demands and deal with changes, delays and unexpected events.
- Maintain a good understanding and consistently comply with agency policy and procedures (including time and attendance, dress code, etc…).
- Support a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that allows the employee to get along with clients, students, coworkers and supervisors.
- Communicate (in writing as well as orally) clearly and concisely
- Illustrate flexibility and adaptability in role and function when circumstances warrant; (demonstrates openness to assist in needed responsibilities in evolving situations).
- Maintain appropriate boundaries, ethics and professionalism; comply with agency, OASAS and other professional code(s) of ethics; seek supervision when challenges arise.
Qualifications:
- Lived experience in mental health, substance use, and criminal justice
- Willingness to disclose lived experiences
- Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (substance use) or Peer Specialist (mental health)
- Familiarity with community based resources and programs related to substance use recovery, housing transportation, child care, food and other supports.
- Clean driver's license
- High School Diploma/GED and 2 years work or volunteer experience in a recovery-oriented setting
- NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)
- At least 1-year volunteer or paid experience working as a Recovery Coach or CRPA
- Knowledge of substance use disorder recovery process
- Computer competent
- Culturally competent
- The following are considered a plus:
- Prior experience working as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate
- Experience working with persons with co-occurring mental health issues
- Experience in documenting Wellness/Recovery Plans
- Bilingual Spanish preferred