Description

We are Hiring! 

Job Posting: Peer Advocate - SCASAS

Location:   Steuben Co. Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services, 115 Liberty St., Bath, NY 14810 with flexibility to travel to Hornell and Corning. 

Department:  County Contracted; Steuben County Community Services 

Employment Type:  Full-Time

Schedule:  M-F 8:30 - 5:00 

Salary:  $19.00 an hour

As a regional agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester, Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston builds communities that care for all people. We serve all people seeking help in a safe, welcoming and comforting environment that feels like being home.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to express and explore your passion for helping others, then join a team that truly makes a difference DAILY, in people's lives. Don't miss out on being a part of something special!

General Description

The Peer Advocate functions as a support for individuals referred to Steuben County Community Services for assistance in recovery for Substance Abuse Disorder(s), Mental Health condition(s) or both. The Peer Advocate will provide services as assigned at one or more of the three (3) Steuben County Alcohol and Substance Abuse outpatient clinics located in Bath, Corning and Hornell.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Promotes skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms through recovery-oriented principles.
• Offers peer support using trauma-informed, nonclinical assistance with the goal of assisting individuals achieve long term recovery. 
• Models recovery and provide companionship to individuals in their home or a community setting. 
• Provides advocacy, outreach and engagement, recovery supports, transitional supports and pre-crisis and crisis supports to individuals in the community.
• Raises awareness of local resources, pathways to recovery and helps individuals remove barriers to access. 
• Helps individuals link to community services to assist with housing, financial support, counseling, self-help and medical care. 
• Helps individuals get to scheduled appointments by providing encouragement, assistance scheduling appointments and possible accompaniment to scheduled appointments.  
• Provides person centered goal planning that includes relapse prevention. 
• Helps individuals as they transition from one setting to another such as bridging from structured behavioral health programs to independent living, outpatient to community-based supports, hospital or jail to community settings.
• Communicates effectively and works cooperatively with colleagues and community professionals.
• Communicates progress and/or concerns to supervisor on a consistent basis. 
• Provides crisis management as needed, identifying symptoms of decomposition. 
• Ensures individual service plans, encounter notes and discharge plans are prepared and reviewed as required 
• Creates and maintains detailed and accurate, service plan, progress/encounter note and discharge plan documentation within the participant record detailing progress toward attainment of recovery service plan in accordance with funding regulations, agency policy, procedure, or business practice.  
• Provides emotional support, companionship and advocacy when an individual is in an emergency room or crisis unit or other service to deal with crisis.
• Works non-traditional hours as needed to initiate contact and establish a rapport with program client.
• Ensure that the rights and confidentiality of the client are protected.
• Successfully completes any training required by the agency and for certification.
• Attends staff meetings, treatment team/provider meetings, and staff development/training seminars in accordance with agency policy, procedure, or business practice.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive. Employees are required to follow appropriate supervisory direction and perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. 

Credentials: Must be certified or have provisional certification as Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA). Must successfully complete the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC-RC exam).

Experience: Willing to self-disclose one’s recovery journey and model that experience, Attest to the NYPSCB Code of Ethical Conduct Possess knowledge of recovery to assist others in their own recovery

Relevant years of experience and education will be considered 

Required Background Check: NYS Justice Center requirements including Criminal History Review, State Central Registry, OMIG Exclusion and Staff Exclusion List. 

Additional Qualifications:

• Ability to prioritize assignments, plan, and complete work projects with minimal direction
• Possession a valid NYS Driver’s license and a driver's record considered acceptable by agency and insurance carrier.
• Continuous use of a reliable, registered and insured vehicle.
• Exceptional time management skills and ability to effectively and meet deadlines 
• Excellent verbal/written skills
• Ability to work in the following software programs: Windows, Microsoft Office, and multiple online software platforms as required by funders and partner organizations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle confidential information with discretion
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors and attitudes which support organizational mission, philosophy, and policies
• Ability to work in a cooperative and helpful manner with all individuals
• Willingness and ability to foster agency and program wide cooperation and teamwork through use of positive/constructive communication techniques

***Catholic Charities is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our agency and our people. EOE/AA Disability/Vet