Peer Counselor-79531502

NOTE: All applicants must comply withICL"s vaccination policy. Individuals selected for employment cannot begin working until they provide verification that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with an FDA-authorized vaccine).
JOB SUMMARY:
Peer Counselors are former residents who have moved from Transitional Residence for Veterans and who are successfully employed and living in permanent housing. They participate in the coordination of services and model the behaviors needed to move to permanent housing. They provide advocacy and counseling support to the residents.
ESSENTIAL TASKS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.

1. Encourage and assist residents to participate in physical, social, recreational, educational, and other rehabilitation
   goals to facilitate the residents' recovery/healing and their fuller participation in the life of their family and community.
2. Assist the Recovery Specialist/Social Worker staff and Case Managers in running wellness and community
   integration groups.
3. Assist residents with applications for services such as: Access-A-Ride, HRA, Social Security, MTA half-fare cards
   and other benefits and entitlements in collaboration with the Entitlements Counselor.
4. Assist the Recreation Specialist and Unit Counselors in using neighborhoods for recreational-based incentive
   programs.
5. Provide motivational interviewing to residents as needed.
6. Participate in length-of-stay reviews.
7. Help residents to identify and access community resources both prior to and after moving into non- transitional
   housing.
8. Encourage resident socialization both in and out of Transitional Residence for Veterans.
9. Facilitate self-help groups.
10. Assist the recovery Specialists/Social Workers in the facilitation of gender-specific groups that address genderrelated
    community reintegration and adaptation issues that include gender role identity, socialization skills
    development, family relationship, intimacy, and sex education issues.
11. Advocate on behalf of residents in the facility and in the community.
12. Escort residents to appointments if they want such support to maintain service continuity.
13. Participate in wellness self-management and other recovery-oriented groups.
14. Interact with residents in assigned neighborhoods.
15. Assist residents in the neighborhood with meeting their daily living needs; assist in developing the spirit, values and
    culture of the neighborhoods.
16. Responsible for all communication to residents.
17. Welcoming new residents, introducing them to their neighbors and orienting them to the values, rules, expectations
    and tasks of the neighborhood.
18. Assist with assigning tasks, including light cleaning, maintenance of a neighborhood message board, meal service
    and wake-up call to residents a daily neighborhood meeting.
19. Select one or two residents from the neighborhood to serve as Neighborhood Guardians, assistants in looking after
    the needs of the neighborhood.
20. Assist in the orientation of new personnel when requested.
21. Observe residents' behavior and specific responses to services and report observations orally and/or in writing, including
    computer entries, as instructed and in accordance with applicable standards; maintain up-to-date, accurate individual
    paper and electronic case records on peer-counselor-related activities.
22. Comply with attendance and timekeeping rules and report reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis.
23. Attend regularly scheduled clinical meetings, case conferences, staff meetings and supervision as well as in-service
    training and development activities.
24. Review the staff communications log and make entries concerning essential elements of information designated by
    program management.
25. Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
26. May have on-call responsibilities.
27. Comply and promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and
    maintain an ethical organizational culture.
28. Perform other job-related duties that may be assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of how disabilities can adversely affect functioning and ways to cope with or overcome such effects
• Ability to read and write at least at a 12th grade level and to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to work with residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of
  and consideration for cultural differences
• Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner, manually and by computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, consumers/residents, families, and the public.
• Ability to accompany or transport residents (some assignments may require possession of a valid driver's license).
• Ability to be empathetic and supportive to residents instructing, demonstrating, modeling, and encouraging
  appropriate behavior and skills
• Ability to secure and maintain certification for Standard First Aid and CPR.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must be a veteran
• Completion of an internship or comparable training in peer advocacy; experience in providing pure advocacy
services to people who are homeless and/or who have disabilities
• Past or current recipient of mental health, substance services or homeless services preferred.
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