Company Overview The Elmira Psychiatric Center, situated in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York, offers a comprehensive range of psychiatric services including inpatient care and community-based programs. The center is dedicated to providing high-quality mental health treatment and recovery support to diverse populations within the community. Job Overview We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Certified Peer Specialist to join our mental health team. This paid position plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health conditions and co-occurring disorders through shared lived experience, advocacy, and recovery-oriented approaches. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, cultural competence, and a commitment to empowering clients on their recovery journeys. Responsibilities 1. Provide non-clinical support services, and teach skills, techniques, and strategies for empowerment and successful community living. Additionally, peer specialists will teach skills unique to support mental health healing and recovery per individual. 2. Assist with Inpatient orientation for newly admitted individuals; help new admissions successfully transition into the daily unit routine. 3. Organize and facilitate self-help groups and activities around coping skills, life skills, and non-clinical recovery maintenance . Recovery maintenance may include sharing personal lived experience to model recovery, support individualistic and self-determined recovery goal setting and progress. 4. Advocate for the needs of individuals served, including actively participating in their treatment planning process, and educating other mental health and human service professionals on peer perspectives as needed. 5. Attend and participate in ASU morning report . Peer specialists will participate by providing a peer perspective on discussed subjects. 6. Attend and participate in treatment planning and discharge planning meetings with patients on their caseload. 7. Complete required documentation and reports on peer services. 8. Assist with the establishment of support systems and services for discharge, including peer, natural, and social support networks; community resources and benefits; and linking individuals with essential supports. 9. Assist with community reintegration outings as needed by accompanying unit staff facilitating the outing. Peer specialists will assist in reintegration skills development and resource connection. 10. Attend and participate in various committee meetings where peer representation is required. 11. Use their personal lived experience and strategic sharing as appropriate to demonstrate that recovery is possible and the value of every individual's recovery experience. 12. Support individuals in developing their own unique recovery and healing goals and assist in identifying the appropriate steps for progress. 13. Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Non-Competitive:

Current certification as a New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB). Candidate must have two years of active participation in mental health self-help activities, peer support or recipient run organizations or similar experiences or programs. Added experience including computer skills, group leadership skills, and organizational skills are required .

Preferred Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will have lived mental health experience from first-hand, personal knowledge and understanding gained from directly navigating and receiving services and/or support as an element of their recovery. Experience as an advocate in the mental health system.

Pay:

$47,695.00 - $58,447.00 per year

Work Location:

In person