Mission Statement: “To empower and inspire people of all communities to identify, pursue and sustain healthy, meaningful lives”.

 

MHAW strives to develop an authentic, diverse workforce that embraces, creates, respects and demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the work environment, towards one another and those we serve. We recognize that our agency is strongest when we all embrace the full spectrum of diversity and experience.  We actively seek to employ a diverse workforce representative of the communities we serve. 

 

Position:                               Peer Support Specialist for the Emergency Department

Compensation:                  $56,000 per year; Non-Exempt

Location:                              Ronkonkoma, NY and travel throughout Suffolk County

Hours:                                  37.5 hrs/week

Start Date:                           Immediately

 

Position Description:

In collaboration with Stony Brook Medicine, the successful candidate will be placed at the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) located at Stony Brook University Hospital. The Peer Support Specialists is a valuable member of the CPEP and MHAW teams, who provide empathic care to CPEP patients, their families and visitors, with the highest degree of integrity and respect.

 

General Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with the CPEP treatment team to facilitate implementation of the discharge plan
• Utilize frameworks such as Trauma Informed Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening
• Offers peer support services to participants prior to discharge and after their return to their communities
• Follows up with patients in the community to offer support and assist with services
• Collaborates with patient and community case manager
• Provides a variety of peer support, advocacy, and other recovery services to clients and caregivers
• Develops a relationship of trust with each participant, functioning as a role model, peer support, mentor, advocate, and ally
• Communicates hope and encouragement to assist participants in developing readiness to discharge from the hospital and return to their community
• Offers assistance with independent living skills, coping skills and community adjustment, helping the individual make a positive connection to outpatient behavioral health services and other community resources.
• Connect to and support individuals in various stages of navigation from CPEP to the community, based on identified needs and requests for support
• Provide validation and support through person centered approaches and engagement
• Assist in the development of comfort around self-advocacy
• Demonstrate personal self-help and wellness skills
• Share known resources and knowledge on system navigation
• Assist in the exploration of personal goals that lead to life satisfaction
• Engage in shared decision making with individuals to support voice and choice in all treatment decisions
• Conduct informational and educational groups for CPEP staff about the benefits of working with Peers
• Work collaboratively with the team to educate all involved on recovery, self-determination, shared decision making, and peer values
• Collaboration with mobile crisis

 

The successful candidate should possess or be quickly able to acquire the following skills and abilities:

• Hold current/active New York Peer Certification (New York Certified Peer Specialist, Provisional (NYCPS-P); or  New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS)
• A valid NYS Driver’s License
• Demonstrate ability to navigate community resources
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain confidential information as related to position, always maintaining transparency with any limits that are identified
• Strong computer skill
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of HIPAA, and timely and comprehensive documentation
• Understanding use of professional supervision
• Ability to share lived experience while still maintaining professional boundaries
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, knowledge and understanding of patient care and effectively respond to changing patient needs by making decisions based on ethical principles
• Experience with provision of peer services for children and adolescents (preferred)

 

TRAVEL:

• Be prepared to use your own vehicle with mileage reimbursement
• Be prepared to engage with clients in the community and travel to homes, agencies, community centers, and anywhere patient support is needed.

Send a resume and a cover letter expressing your interest in this position to:

 

Kathy Elfers, HR Director

Association of Mental Health and Wellness

kelfers@mhaw.org