Psychiatric Peer Counselor - Schenectady, United States - Ellis Medicine

Ellis Medicine
Ellis Medicine
Verified Company
Schenectady, United States

4 weeks ago

Mark Lane

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Mark Lane

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Description

The Living Room program is a groundbreaking mental health crisis diversion program, the first of its kind in the Capital Region.


Located within the Ellis Mental Health Outpatient Services building, the Living Room is a quiet and comfortable atmosphere for adult clients, called "guests" to receive support in their time of need.

The purpose of the Living Room program is to provide guests with free and person-centered crisis counseling, referrals, and other community resources needed to prevent unnecessary Emergency Room visits.

The Living Room program staff consists of peer specialists, a social worker, and care manager, all of whom work closely together to provide direct care and advocacy for a diverse and vulnerable population.

The Living Room staff specializes in a wide range of treatment interventions, including trauma-informed care and integrated mental health and substance use treatment.

The Living Room staff specializes in a wide range of treatment interventions, including trauma-informed care and integrated mental health and substance use treatment.

The Living Room Psychiatric Peer Counselor will have the opportunity to provide direct care and advocacy for a diverse and vulnerable population.

The role of a Peer Counselor encompasses a broad range of support for guests, all of which have the person's best interest in mind.

The roles include advocacy, mentoring, active and compassionate listening, providing information, offering emotional support, validation, encouragement, sharing hopefulness and using one's experience of success to serve as evidence of the possibility and likelihood of recovery.

The Peer Counselor helps equip guests with the necessary tools and resources to manage their experiences, resulting in an increased sense of independence and self-worth.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT(S):


  • Personal experience with mental health and a basic understanding of a variety of mental health diagnoses
  • High school diploma or GED
  • NYS Peer Specialist Certification or successfully completed the NYS Peer Specialist training provided by The Academy of Peer Services and working towards completing 2,000 hours in peer advocacy services for NYS Peer Specialist Certification preferred

GUIDING BEHAVIORS:


  • Communication: Listen to understand, before seeking to be understood.
  • Collaboration: Deliver outstanding service ensuring that safety comes first.
  • Compassion: Serve every person with empathy, dignity, and compassion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:


  • Should be able to push/pull, lift/move 35 lb., be able to perform moderately difficult manual manipulations such as using a keyboard, writing, and filing for extended periods of time, must be able to perform tasks which require handeye coordination such as data entry, typing and using photo copiers. Mobility requirements may include the ability to be stationary at a workstation for a prolonged period time in addition to being able to squat or be mobile for a reasonable length of time and distance. Communication requirements include the ability to comprehend the spoken English language in addition to being able to communicate and read the English language.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:


  • Provides direct care to a diverse population of people, some diagnosed with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI).
  • Performs mental health assessment for guests including assessing for determinants of health.
  • Provides risk assessment to guests to determine appropriateness for Living Room services by utilizing the CASE (Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events) approach to assess suicide/homicide risk and safety. In such cases safety risk is present, the Peer Counselor will notify additional team members for support and guidance
  • Develop a personalized recoveryoriented plan for each guest being served. This plan should encompass the guest's current goals, support systems, and perceived barriers, with a clear outline of the steps needed to achieve success
  • Provide continuous, nonjudgmental support, and guidance to guests with concerns working to educate and connect them with necessary resources.
  • Advocate for guests to receive the best possible care and support
  • Educate guests on effective treatment plans, including medication and other therapy options
  • Develop healthy relationships and participate in community outreach and engagement.
  • Provide excellent communication and listening skills demonstrating compassion, patience, and empathy
  • Willingness to use selfdisclosure as an effective therapeutic tool as appropriate
  • Participate as an active member of the staff by attending meetings, supervision, and community events
  • Establish and maintain healthy, professional and HIPPA compliant boundaries in relationships with guests and other staff
  • Utilize opportunities for personal and professional growth and to further develop skills through trainings, observation, interactions with others
  • Quickly develop the
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