Peer Counselor

Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model. There are three (3) Assignment Levels in this class of position.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct peer recovery services to behavioral health consumers in a fast-paced work environment (emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and specialized settings in the community).
• Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing recovery plans.
• Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model. 
• Comforts patients, reassuring them about recovery and explaining the process of how acute distress is addressed.
• Provides orientation and support to patients and collaterals.
• Helps patients to understand their role in their own recovery process.
• Uses personal experience as a recipient of behavioral health services (including co-occurring/substance use background) in role-modeling recovery and providing hope for other recipients.
• Assists patients in seeking clarification about the treatment and recovery process.
• Assists the patient in recovery planning, identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
• Engages patients and helps motivate them to enter treatment and engage with care coordination.
• Provides motivation to address ambivalence about change using basic motivational interviewing techniques.
• Conducts overdose prevention trainings with patients and their families, including naloxone distribution.
• Clarifies issues for the patient and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing and supportive services. Follows-up to determine whether services were provided and used.

For Assignments in Mental Health:

1.     Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; and

2.     Certification as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) issued by the Peer Specialist Certification Board.

For Assignments in Substance Use:

1.     Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) issued by the New York Certification Board.

For all other Assignments:

1.     A High school diploma or its educational equivalent; and

2.     Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Counselor/Specialist Training Program; or

3.     One (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.

Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level II requires:

1.     One (1) additional year of experience, as described in three (3) above.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button.  

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees’ Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs