JOB SUMMARY
Youth Peer Support (YPA) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to youth who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community centered services. These services provide the training and support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and with the on-going implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. The YPA will provide structured, scheduled activities that emphasize the opportunity for the youth to expand the skills and strategies necessary to move forward in meeting their personal, individualized goals, develop self-advocacy skills and to support their transition into adulthood.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Certified Recovery Peer Advocate-Y candidates must be 18 to 30 years of age.
- Ability to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, and involvement with juvenile justice, special education, substance- use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness.
- Agree to practice according to the Youth Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
- Provide Skill Building in the development of skills used for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms, trauma, and substance use disorders. Development of skills used for wellness, resiliency and recovery supports. Development of skills to independently navigate the service system. Develop goal setting skills and building community living skills.
- Coaching: Enhancing resiliency/recovery-oriented attitudes, such as hope, confidence, and self efficacy.
- Provide Engagement, Bridging and Transition supports, such as acting as a peer partner in transitioning to different levels of care and into adulthood; helping youth understand what to expect and how and why they should be active in developing their treatment plan and natural supports.
- Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy & Empowerment. Developing, linking and facilitating the use of formal and informal services, including connection to peer support groups in the community. Serving as an advocate mentor or facilitator for resolution of issues. Assisting in navigating the service system including assisting with engagement and bridging during transition in care. Help youth develop self-advocacy skills (e.g., may attend a Committee on Preschool or Special Education meeting with- the youth and parent, coaching the youth to articulate his educational goals). Assist youth with gaining or regaining the ability to make independent choices and assist youth in playing a proactive role in their own treatment. The YPA guides youth to effectively communicate their individual perspective to providers and families. Assist youth in developing skills to advocate for needed services and benefits and seeking to effectively resolve unmet needs. Assist youth in understanding their treatment plan and help to ensure the plan is person/family centered.
- Community Connections and Natural Supports: Connecting youth to community resources and services. The YPA may accompany youth to appointments and meetings for the purpose of mentoring and support but not for the sole purpose of providing transportation for the youth. Help develop a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences, including locating similar interest programs, peer-run programs and support groups. Facilitate or arrange youth peer resiliency/recovery- support groups.
- Modality: Groups may not exceed more than 8 youths.
- Demonstrate qualities of leadership including: Knowledge of advocacy, Group development and/or facilitation of peer to peer groups or activities.
- Follow all policies and procedures as contained in the written CFTSS Policy Manual.
- Provide CFTSS services to assigned participants including visits in the participant home or community locations, providing telehealth services.
- Contacting referral/collateral resources as required
- Responding promptly to participant phone calls and questions.
- Schedule and coordinate weekly meetings with participants; keep appointments on shared work Outlook calendar.
- Full time providers are required to produce a minimum of 25 billable hours per week.
- Enter all notes in electronic health record for assigned participants within specified time parameters (within 24-48 hours after visit).
- Complete all other case notes, paperwork as assigned and meet deadlines for submission of such for billable purposes.
- Complete note corrections for monthly audit within the time frame given by supervisor.
- Complete monthly mileage form and submit to supervisor no later than the 10th of the following month.
- Attend all required team and agency meetings including regional, team, and individual supervision
- Complete all assigned trainings within specified time periods.
- Ensure compliance and confidentiality in all interactions and exchange of information pertaining to applicants, participants, employees, funding sources, and meetings.
- Assist in coordinating, preparing and conducting meeting materials/references/resources as per the approved service plan.
- Maintain a professional, cooperative and respectful attitude with all individuals with whom you come in contact on behalf of ROME.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Personal automobile insurance is required and is the sole responsibility of employee. Insurance coverage is detailed in the policy manual and must be adhered to as written.
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:
Work under the supervision of the CORE Clinical Supervisor and the Director of Licensed & Clinical Services. Follows state regulations regarding program guidance and compliance. Reads and understands program policy manual and requests clarification when needed.
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 manager for clarification or interpretation. Review by manager focuses on achievement of the objective and not necessarily on the means, except when required to ensure compliance with regulations.
TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT OR TOOLS:
Beginning to Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office 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, etc. Must also be proficient in utilizing various computer systems for Data Entry. Familiarity working with an Electronic Health Record a plus. General office equipment is used including fax/copy/scanning machine, laptop, and cell phone.
Upon your termination of employment with ROME, your equipment including your company laptop, cell phone, and chargers must be returned to your Program Manager.
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 up to 100% of the time. May occasionally lift up to (35) thirty-five pounds, without mechanical assistance. Work involves sitting, standing, driving, climbing stairs and ambulating from task to task. The noise level in the work environment is usually light.
Services are provided in the community and/or a participant’s home under general circumstances. Telehealth services may be provided when allowable under NYS guidelines.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Must have High School Diploma or GED.
- Must have completed Level One of the Youth Peer Support Services Advisory Council recommended and State approved training for YPA’s.
- Agree to practice according to the Youth Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
- Must have a valid Class D Driver License, reliable transportation, and minimum level of required automobile insurance.
- Must be at least 18 to 30 years of age, who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders.
- Ability to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness.
- Submit two letters of reference attesting to the proficiency in and suitability for the role of a YPA.
- A YPA with a provisional credential must complete all other requirements of the full credential within 18 months of employment as a YPA.
- Mandated Reporter Training Required.
- Demonstrates qualities of leadership, including
- Knowledge of advocacy
- Group development and/or facilitation of peer to peer groups or activities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Read and write case notes in a billable fashion and complete within 24-48 hours after the visit
- Must complete 25 billable hours per week
- Follow verbal and written instructions
- Multi-task and meet deadlines
- Willingness and ability to work with a team.
- Ability to work independently a must.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills pertaining to the use of electronic medical records (EMR), Microsoft Office, Excel and internet.
- Understanding of confidentiality and HIPAA laws regarding recipient’s records and information
- Ability to demonstrate good organizational skills.
- Ability to type with speed and accuracy
- Willingness to continuously learn and develop skills as they pertain to the needs of the agency and the position.
- Staff should have knowledge in the following areas or obtain within the first 90 days of employment: disability accommodations and assistive technology, financial aid, student loan default, SUD recovery resources on campus, behavioral health services in their designated service area, etc.
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.
