Community-Based Peer Specialist- Assertive Community Treatment

Purpose

To serve as a role model and advocate for clients receiving ACT services out in the community. Assist in the areas of entitlements, self-advocacy and empowerment, daily activities, housing and employment. Teach independent living skills. Function as a full member of the ACT team providing evidenced based interventions as part of the ACT model. The majority of this role is conducted in the community and is not site specific.

Responsibilities

• Provide concrete service delivery to clients (i.e. benefits/entitlements), as per program needs.
• Lead and co-lead a variety of recovery groups on issues of self-advocacy, entitlements, daily living activities, housing issues, employment readiness, smoking cessation, substance use disorders and other groups as deemed appropriate.
• Communicate with collaterals and other agency staff on behalf of clients to assist case management staff as needed.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision and discharge planning discussion.
• Appropriately document individual and groups notes in electronic health records.
• Assist in various duties (as needed) for the program.
• Maintain resource materials on recovery for client use.
• Conduct weekly in person visits for clients currently residing in homeless shelters and assigned to the ACT program and/or in client's homes or elsewhere in the community where the client is accessible.
• Train consumers in peer advocacy skills, harm reduction skills and affect management skills.
• Escort clients to doctors, court, interviews and other appointments as needed.
• Teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, how to manage medication adherence.
• Complete Relapse Prevention plans with clients.
• Conduct diligent searches for missing clients including outreaches to DHS, hospitals, web searches as well as making in person physical attempts to locate clients.
• May be assigned other tasks and duties reasonably related to their job responsibilities.

Skills and/or Experience Required

Relevant life experience preferred. Familiarity with NYS Entitlements, Housing and Mental Health Service Delivery System. Basic computer skills a plus.

Communication Skills

Ability to articulate the company's philosophy, mission and goals to a varied audience. Ability to author and to present effective and persuasive speeches and presentations to various groups including clients, management and employees. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints, including those of a sensitive and confidential nature, from any of the following, if applicable, under a variety of circumstances, including adversarial situations: clients, consumers, managers, employees, regulatory agencies, arbitrators, union representatives, vendors, or applicants. Ability to effectively present information to clients, top management and staff in verbal and written formats.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to perform basic mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.

Reasoning Skills

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to work within general guidelines and minimal supervision. Ability to organize, prioritize and execute responsibilities in the face of conflicting priorities or unexpected situations. Ability to recognize the need for confidentiality of information and to maintain such confidences.

Work Environment / Physical Effort

Must be comfortable with public transportation, traveling in the community, as this position requires 80% of the time in the field and 20% in the office. This individual must be comfortable walking and standing for long periods of time.

Requirements

High School Diploma, GED or some post-secondary education preferred, as is experience with a similar population in a community setting. NY Peer Specialist certification is required.