The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services. We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.
MHA facilitates recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.
Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of men, women, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.
SUMMARY of DUTIES
The Certified Peer Specialist will work as part of a multidisciplinary team in the Article 32 outpatient substance use treatment program, licensed by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), which is part of MHA’s Comprehensive Care Center. The Peer Specialist will provide direct peer support services to individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders. The Peer Specialist will contribute to treatment team planning and assist with outreach and transitional care efforts in community. Most importantly, the Peer Specialist will draw upon their own lived experience to connect with the individuals receiving care, maintain the program’s culture of respect and focus on the participant’s potential for achieving recovery. The Peer Specialist will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration. When possible, the Peer Specialist will utilize evidence-based practices, always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.
Join our Team! We are immediately hiring a Certified Peer Specialist for our Article 32 substance use treatment program in Westchester County, NY. Base Annual Salary Range: $40,000 to $45,000.
SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide a strength-based rehabilitative and recovery-oriented services individually and as part of the treatment team.
2. Enhance initial outreach, engagement and retention efforts to help clients and families stay connected to needed services. including helping team to maintain a recovery-oriented approach during the course of treatment.
3. Provide concrete and social supports to clients and families through case management, helping to support participant’s efforts towards reaching recovery goals.
4. Promote a team culture that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery.
5. Attend and participate in team and case conference meetings.
6. Follow the established policies and procedures.
7. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and standards.
8. Operate agency vehicle.
9. Other related duties.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1. Prior knowledge and/or use of Trauma-Informed, Person-Centered Practice, Harm Reduction and Motivational Interviewing are a plus.
2. Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
3. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
4. Knowledge of the common challenges associated with mental health conditions
5. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
6. Strong attention to detail.
7. Effective crisis intervention skills.
8. Problem solving skills.
9. Bilingual, Spanish preferred
QUALIFICATIONS
1. The Certified Peer Specialist must possess certification as an OASAS recognized Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CPRA) or CPRA-P (Provisional) at time of hire.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality standards as promulgated by the state; (OMH, OASAS, DOH) and federal government (SAMHSA and 42CFR).
3. Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
4. The Certified Peer Specialist must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
5. Lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or substance use conditions is highly valued.
6. Must possess strong organizational, writing skills and time management skills.
7. Must be able to work independently, including making decisions to respond to immediate programmatic needs.
8. Must also be flexible, respectful, creative and person-centered.
9. This position requires a thorough understanding of the process and possibility of robust recovery for people diagnosed with substance use and mental health conditions.
10. Basic computer knowledge and ability to document in an electronic health record is required.
11. Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
12. Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification.
13. Must be and maintain clearance through the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
14. Must be and maintain clearance by the DCJS New York State Sex Offender Registry.
15. Pre-employment drug screen is required as a condition of employment.
16. Must be and maintain clearance by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List.
17. Must be and maintain clearance by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
18. Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.
To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with "OASAS Certified Peer Specialist" as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.