Peer Companion Buffalo, NY FT, PT PD available - Housing Options Made Easy : Job Details

Full Time, Part Time and Per Diem positions are available! JOB SUMMARY The Peer Companion will be available to all guests staying at the Crisis Respite Housing Center, to provide peer support and companionship and be available to instill hope, support wellness and demonstrate that recovery is real and does happen. The Peer Companion should discuss the WRAP Plan, Advanced Directives and help guests set goals and engage in community and social events. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Provide supportive companionship for guests during interview, intake arrival and departure.

Share personal experience and encourage mental health wellness and recovery.

Assist in connection to mental health services, community resources, entitlements and other services as needed.

Model and utilize Trauma Informed techniques and tools as out lined in: Intentional Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Mental Health First Aide, Emotional CPR, Motivational Interviewing, Safe TALK, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Recovery Options Made Easy, In-House Peer Advocacy Training and Crisis Diversion/Respite House Training, Homelessness Training.

Transport guests to store or appointments when needed, using company vehicle.

Provide telephone support to peers in community.

Help maintain a clean, safe and secure environment. Some cleaning duties may be assigned.

Manage downtime with Guest and Respite program focused activities and duties.

Keep accurate and timely records. Ability to write a billable case note.

Warm Line duties as needed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No supervisory responsibilities.COMPLEXITY OF WORK AND DECISION MAKING:Works in accordance with policies and regulations which may require judgment, initiative, creativity and the ability to deal with complex factors and making of decisions based on conclusions for which there may be little precedent.AUTONOMY AND ACCOUNTABILITY:Works from general objectives (such as governmental and agency compliance standards) and broad and varying policies, procedures, rules or precedents with significant functional guidance. Refers specific cases to supervisor for clarification or interpretation. Review by supervisor focuses on achievement of the objective and not necessarily on the means, except when required to ensure compliance with regulations.TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT OR TOOLS:Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word and Outlook. Evidence of skills demonstrated by the ability to perform all of the basic functions within each program; including but not limited to maintaining a calendar, sending e-mail, creating letters as well as the ability to create and edit workbooks. General office equipment is used including fax machine, computer and phone system.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work follows established practices and operating procedures with some latitude for independent judgment. Maintains strict visual contact with work. May occasionally lift up to (50) fifty pounds without mechanical assistance. Work involves but is not limited to: light to moderate house cleaning, laundry and supplies, climbing stairs (Eagles Nest), taking out trash/garbage, guest room turnovers, sitting, driving, and ambulating from task to task. The noise level in the work environment is usually light. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Two years in recovery from acute care environment
• Experience with providing peer support, advocacy or human services
• Delineate behaviors behind values of critical care and recovery preferred
• Knowledge of community support services/resources
• A valid Class D Driver License, reliable transportation and automobile insurance is preferred
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan Training
• Completion of a peer advocacy training program or related certification is preferred. Academy of Peer Services Certification must be completed within the employees first 3 months in this position if the employee is not currently certified.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must possess advocacy skills; attention to detail; effective communication, writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to take direction and follow-through on assignments both independently and with limited supervision.
• Must have an understanding and working knowledge of confidentiality laws regarding recipient's records and personal/health information. HIPAA.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of community services.
• Must be proficient in MS Word/Excel, internet and e-mail.
• Multitasking
• Help maintain a clean, safe and secure environment
• Organizational skills
• Maintain good time management
• Dependability/reliability

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with our without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing the function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function. Recovery Options Made Easy, is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Recovery Options Made Easy, will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact Colleen Hutchinson at Recovery Options Made Easy.