AOT Peer Counselor, Mental Health-Assisted Out Treatment

The Bureau of Mental Health's (BMH) mission is to improve mental health and wellness for people in New York City, and to eliminate racial and other long-standing societal disparities by providing services, resources, and opportunities to New Yorkers that are grounded in accurate, data-driven information that fosters community participation, thus reducing the stigma around mental health.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Assist professional staff with referrals to specific individual and group treatment activities, by helping to prepare treatment plans and legal documents required for the pursuit of a court order of Assisted Outpatient Treatment.
- Collaborate and interface with mental health providers and families to make referrals and support consumers in the referral process and assist in monitoring both the client and the service providers' engagement and adherence to the treatment plan through case conferences and other interactions which may include suggesting alternative referrals as well as following up with consumers who have missed appointments for AOT exam or the treatment plan services.
- Ensure all service providers serving a consumer effectively communicate to maximize the ability of consumers to successfully engage in treatment.
- Greet and engage consumers, their families, and mental health service providers at the exam site who have appointments for a psychiatric exam to determine whether or not an AOT court order will be pursued.
- Utilize your lived mental health experience to model recovery, provide hope, and promote recovery-based services to assist individuals under an AOT order with obtaining services to support their recovery needs.
- Serve as non-judgmental support to whom the individual can discuss concerns and collaboratively problem solve ways in which AOT can better be part of their recovery.
- Assist consumers in seeking clarification about the treatment and recovery process.
- Prepare simple reports on the observed consumer behavior.
- Link consumers with peer support and social support networks by reaching out to other organizations that can provide assistance and developing a resource file of community agencies and programs offering services needed by the clients.
- Participate and contribute to AOT team meetings as assigned and all-staff meetings as a representative voice for consumers.
- Educate AOT staff about peer services and needs.
- Participate in recovery community events to obtain information and resources for consumers and staff.
- Demonstrate flexibility in working with treatment team members and various assignments.
- Participate in Bureau workgroups and special projects as needed.
- Perform related clerical tasks.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Graduate of a Peer Specialist training program and two or more years of relevant work experience in a mental health setting. New York Certified Peer Specialist (NYCPS) Certification preferred; consideration will be given to candidates pursuing certification.
- Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college preferred.
- Must possess strong, organization, and communication skills.
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and populations, as well as honor contributions and strengths of all cultures.
- Knowledge of recovery and consumer support and social networks.
- Ability to work effectively with people and resolve conflict.
- Ability to work independently.

Why you should work for us:

- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

PEER COUNSELOR (HMH) - 51218