Queens Hospital Center is making good on its promise to the people of southeastern and central Queens to maximize both patient convenience and positive clinical outcomes. Residents of Queens can count on the delivery of quality medical care right in their own borough. In 2002 the hospital opened a state-of-the-art, 261-bed facility that includes the Queens Cancer Center, the first comprehensive cancer treatment center in the borough.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Work Shifts
9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M
May require Night Coverage
Job Description
Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model. There are three (3) Assignment Levels in this class of positions. For Assignment to Level II, in addition to performing the duties of Assignment Level I at a more difficult and responsible level, performs the following tasks:
Examples of Typical Tasks:
- Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting up a household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting, and other skills relevant to an individual's rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.
- Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnosis issues, relapse and recovery, and socialization.
- Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
- Provides support peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, and self-help opportunities.
- Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
- Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and support services. Follow-up to determine whether services were provided and used.
- Assists the consumer in completing applications and paperwork for public entitlements and may accompany the consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
- Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
- Facilities the establishment of peer support networks, and natural and social support systems.
- Maintains current, complete, and appropriate documentation in the consumer record prepares required forms and may be required to use computer systems in carrying out these functions. Documents in Electronic Health Records (HER) and writes progress notes for review.
- Acts as preceptor to Peer Counselors in Assignment Level I.
- Provides education training on recipient issues to mental health and other human services providers.
- Advocates for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health system and within service delivery systems.
- Participates in utilization review and quality improvement activities.
Minimum Qualifications
Assignment Level I
For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a
a. Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer
Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or
b. Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the
New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or
c. Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPAP), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional
(YPA-P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training
Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as
a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For Substance Use Assignments:
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Recovery Peer Advocate
(CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board
(ASAP-NYCB); and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training
Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance use
disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Mental Health Assignments:
3. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or
Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board
(NYPSCB); and
4. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training
Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health
services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Assignments (Including Breastfeeding Education Assignments):
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program
or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer
counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services; and
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Assignment Level II
In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level II requires:
1. One (1) additional year of experience, as described in Assignment Level I above.
Assignment Level III
In addition to meeting the qualification requirements of Peer Counselor Level I, assignment to Level III requires:
1. Two (2) additional years of experience, as described in Assignment Level I above.
If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online at employment.nychhc.org.
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
- Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
- Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
- Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
- College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
- Multiple employee discounts programs