Peer Bridger for the Emergency Department in Ronkonkoma, New York at Association For Mental Health And Wellness
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Job Description
Mission Statement: “To empower and inspire people of all communities to identify, pursue, and sustain healthy, meaningful lives”.
MHAW strives to develop an authentic, diverse workforce that embraces, creates, respects, and demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the work environment, towards one another and those we serve. We recognize that our agency is strongest when we all embrace the full spectrum of diversity and experience. We actively seek to employ a diverse workforce representative of the communities we serve.
Position: Peer Bridger for the Emergency Department
Compensation: $56,000 per year; Full-Time Non-Exempt
Location: Stony Brook University Hospital/CPEP, MHAW Ronkonkoma, and community-based throughout Suffolk County
Hours: 37.5 hours per week; schedule based on program and CPEP needs
Start Date: Immediately
Position Summary
The Peer Bridger, in collaboration with Stony Brook Medicine, supports individuals receiving services through Stony Brook’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) and transitioning back into the community. Leveraging the power of shared lived experience, the Peer Bridger will provide a voluntary recovery alternative for people with complex needs related to mental health, substance misuse, medical issues, family and systemic trauma, and histories of homelessness, incarceration, and/or frequent hospitalization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Engage individuals receiving services through Stony Brook CPEP and build trusting peer relationships grounded in shared lived experience, mutuality, hope, choice, and self-determination.
- Provide voluntary, hands-on, time-limited peer support to individuals in CPEP and during their transition back into the community, including follow-up in homes, community agencies, and other community settings.
- Support individuals in identifying their own strengths, needs, goals, and recovery priorities while promoting self-advocacy, voice, choice, and shared decision-making.
- Assist individuals with navigating and connecting to community resources, natural supports, behavioral health, substance use, housing, benefits, medical, social-service, and other supports based on their identified needs.
- Utilize peer-support approaches including Trauma-Informed Peer Support, recovery and wellness planning, the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, motivational interviewing, and active listening.
- Demonstrate strong computer skills, including proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR), Microsoft Office/Teams, email, electronic calendars, and other required communication and documentation systems.
- Maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive electronic documentation in accordance with program requirements, confidentiality standards, and HIPAA.
- Collaborate with MHAW, Stony Brook CPEP staff, community providers, and other supports while maintaining the distinct role, values, and boundaries of peer support.
- Maintain knowledge of community resources throughout Suffolk County and participate in supervision, team meetings, training, and ongoing professional development.
Education, Experience, Licenses and/or Certifications
- NY Certified Peer Specialist (CPS or CPS-P) and/or NY Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA).
- Valid New York State driver’s license and access to a reliable personal vehicle.
- 2+ years of experience with peer support, mental health, housing, and/or social services.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and active-listening skills.
- Ability to work independently in community settings while also collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience providing peer-support services in behavioral health, crisis, hospital, community, or recovery settings.
- Experience supporting individuals transitioning from hospital or crisis services back into the community.
- Knowledge of Suffolk County behavioral health, substance use, housing, benefits, social-service, and community resources.
- Familiarity with Trauma-Informed Peer Support, WRAP, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening.
This is a community-based position requiring regular travel throughout Suffolk County using the employee’s personal vehicle. Approved work-related mileage will be reimbursed and tracked through TripLog.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds
Supervision & Accountability
This position is co-supervised by MHAW & Stony Brook Medicine. The Peer Bridger is expected to follow the applicable policies, procedures, and professional expectation of both organizations while performing their role.
Our full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes: