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Outreach Development Corporation

Outreach is a non-profit organization that helps people address the issues stemming from substance use and behavioral health disorders by providing the highest quality, life-changing treatment, training and tools to build healthy lives . Our mission is to inspire individuals and families to achieve a life of unlimited potential by developing and delivering the highest quality evidence-based behavioral health services and training. For more information, please visit www.opiny.org.

Position: Peer Counselor

The Peer Counselor provides peer recovery support to clients by sharing life experiences, assisting clients to develop a recovery plan, linking clients with community-based programs supportive of recovery. Peer services may be provided onsite or in the community.

Job Scope:

+ Assist clients in developing a Recovery Plan

+ Maintain communication with the treatment team on behalf of clients

+ Document delivered peer services in the Electronic Health Records (EHR)

+ Attend supervision/staff meetings as appropriate

+ Accompany clients to appointments, as needed

+ Support program participants in pre-crisis or crisis situations

+ Teach participants recovery skills, based on shared life experiences

+ Help participants transition from different levels of care, as needed

+ Share information with participants about benefits, entitlements, and other supports

+ Interact with staff, clients, students and visitors in a courteous, professional and respectful manner that is consistent with the agency’s mission and values.

+ Produce accurate, neat and thorough work.

+ Prioritize and plan work time efficiently; effectively manage competing demands and deal with changes, delays and unexpected events.

+ Maintain a good understanding and consistently comply with agency policy and procedures (including time and attendance, dress code, etc…).

+ Support a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that allows the employee to get along with clients, students, coworkers and supervisors.

+ Communicate (in writing as well as orally) clearly and concisely

+ Illustrate flexibility and adaptability in role and function when circumstances warrant; (demonstrates openness to assist in needed responsibilities in evolving situations).

+ Maintain appropriate boundaries, ethics and professionalism; comply with agency, OASAS and other professional code(s) of ethics; seek supervision when challenges arise.

Each role at Outreach has identified production and outcome goals. These goals may be stated as a number or as an outcome within an identified time frame. These goals are intended to provide each job holder the knowledge they need about expected performance. Accomplishments against these goals will be a discussion point in the annual evaluation.

Supervised by

Site Director

Qualifications

+ Lived experience in mental health, substance use, and criminal justice

+ Willingness to disclose lived experiences

+ Certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate (substance use) or Peer Specialist (mental health)

+ Familiarity with community based resources and programs related to substance use recovery, housing transportation, child care, food and other supports.

+ Clean driver’s license

+ High School Diploma/GED and 2 years work or volunteer experience in a recovery-oriented setting

+ NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)

+ At least 1-year volunteer or paid experience working as a Recovery Coach or Provisional CRPA

+ Knowledge of substance use disorder recovery process

+ Computer competent

+ Culturally competent

The following are considered a plus:

• Prior experience working as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

• Experience working with persons with co-occurring mental health issues

• Experience in documenting Wellness/Recovery Plans

Position Status

This is a full-time non-exempt position.

Flexible, 3 nights 1 pm to 9 pm, 2 days 9 am to 5 pm

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and outside in the field. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Must be able to travel among assigned sites and locations as needed.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Outreach is an equal opportunity employer. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or creed, disability, or political or sexual orientation. Diversity is celebrated as a streng