Certified Peer Specialist - Community Support Programs

The Bridge’s mission is to change lives, by offering help, hope, and opportunity to the most vulnerable in our community. We offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based rehabilitative services, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, housing, vocational training and job placement, healthcare, education, and creative arts therapies.

Under the direction of the Program Director, and within the guidelines of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Agency code of ethics and policies and procedures, the CRPA Peer Specialist supports adults with substance use disorders and/or mental health diagnoses, respects the clients’ rights and maintains established professional boundaries, and delivers clinical services with the goal of assisting clients to achieve their personalized recovery goals. Conduct outreach to both current program participants and within the communities of the Upper Manhattan and South Bronx conducting Narcan and Fentanyl test strip training to those who are at high risk of overdose and who have a friend/family/client who are at high risk of overdose.

Essential Position Functions:

• Conduct outreach and locate target areas within the Upper Manhattan and South Bronx to conduct consistent outreach and Narcan training as well as Fentanyl test strip training.
• Building connections and partnerships with community resources and agencies.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to provide adults with person-centered peer support services related to substance use and/or mental health.
• Complete required documentation in a timely and high-quality manner.
• Work collaboratively with clients, their families, and community partners to assist clients in achieving their treatment and recovery goals.
• Coordinate client care through close involvement with hospitals, substance use treatment facilities, probation and parole, etc.
• Collaborate with the client in the creation of individualized service plans, and crisis/relapse prevention plans.
• Use evidence-based individual and group treatments in the areas of substance abuse and mental health to address client needs (WRAP, harm reduction, etc).
• Assist in connecting clients to address needs such as family support, housing, entitlements, employment, education, vocational interests, legal advocacy, community integration, and connection to physical health care, etc.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Minimum three years of experience providing services to adults with serious mental illness preferred; Case Management work experience in a social service agency, preferably serving a behavioral health population; Four years of past work case management work experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate Certified (CRPA)
• Experience working with homeless and/or precariously housed populations preferred but not required; Knowledge of homeless resources, NYC shelter systems, and MTA transit systems a plus.
• Knowledge of counseling principles and methods for mental illness and substance use disorders; Knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to recipient/residents, families, and staff.
• Experience in conducting Narcan Training is a plus.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, implement, and modify treatment intervention to meet the needs of individual recipients; ability to prepare accurate and timely reports; computer proficiency and good documentation skills; must have or be eligible to have NY State ID (non-drivers or drivers license)
• Knowledge and experience of electronic health records (specifically AWARDS by Footholds) preferred
• Spanish speaking is highly desirable

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer