JOB TITLE:                             Peer Specialist

DEPARTMENT:                           Adult & Employment Services         

FLSA:                                    Non-Exempt

LOCATION:                             Yonkers / Bronx

REPORTS TO:                           Service Coordinator

SUMMARY: 

Provides direct mental health services to persistently mentally ill (SPMI) recipients in a residential setting. Serves as a role model for recipients and educates them on self-help techniques and self-help group process; teaches them effective coping strategies, sometimes based on personal experience; assists them in clarifying their goals for rehabilitation and recovery; and helps them to develop community, family and peer support systems.  Proof of COVID-19 vaccine is required.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for individual caseload of single adult recipients.
• Assists recipients in the development and application of personalized coping skills by helping recipients identify and practice individualized skills to deal with their psychiatric symptoms.
• Assists recipients in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and in identifying and developing specific, individual coping strategies.
•  Assists recipients in developing a crisis plan and crisis management skills.
• Helps recipients develop assertiveness and communications skills in order to facilitate their active participation in the treatment planning process.
• Assists recipients in carrying out tasks defined in their treatment plans.
• Assists recipients to define individualized rehabilitation goals.
• Teaches recipients skills in daily living, learning, working, socializing, recreating, parenting, and/or other skills, which are relevant to the individual's rehabilitation goals.
• Documents activities for each recipient in accordance with agency and funder guidelines and procedures.
• Collects service data and participates in program evaluation and quality assurance activities.
• Provides crisis intervention and stabilization as needed.  May require some after hour’s follow-up to emergency situations.
• Contributes to monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Attends all relevant community/service provider meetings. 
• Other duties as required.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Demonstrated interpersonal communications skills and the ability to empathize with, relate to, and effectively work with recipients of mental health services.  Two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or peer advocacy programs. Experience in crisis intervention techniques and strength-based interventions.  Requires travel throughout The Bronx and Manhattan.  May require some evening and weekend hours.

AGENCY PROFILE & EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS

Westhab is a prominent community development organization, providing housing and supportive services for more than 10,000 of the most vulnerable members of our community each year. We are staffed by an extraordinary group of hard working professionals that are fully committed to our mission - Building Communities. Changing Lives. Working at Westhab is not easy. Our expectations for all staff are high. We believe that the people and the communities that we have the privilege to serve deserve our very best every day. We are a results-driven organization that focuses on empowerment and impact. If you want to apply for this opportunity, it should only be because you feel ready for the challenges and expectations that come with joining this kind of team. (EOE)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA):

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures safe and healthful working conditions to workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.  Westhab complies with all applicable OSHA standards, rules and regulations in addition to keeping our workplaces free of serious recognized hazards.