Job Summary/Objective
The Peer Bridger is a member of HALI’s Empowerment team. The primary responsibility of this role, in collaboration with Stony Brook University Hospital, is to support individuals in and being discharged from Stony Brook Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). Leveraging the power of shared lived experience, Peer Bridgers will provide a voluntary recovery alternative for people with complex needs related to mental health, substance misuse, medical issues, family and systemic trauma, and histories of homelessness, incarceration, and/or frequent hospitalization. This role will report to the Senior Director of Empowerment Services.
Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities
- To provide support to individuals in Stony Brook's Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), overseen onsite by designated CPEP staff.
- Follow up with assigned members in the community as defined by Peer Bridger services. This will include home visits, community agency visits, and other support to individuals transitioning to the community from the CPEP.
- To provide peer support, advocacy education, and community resources relevant to the needs of the people utilizing CPEP services.
- To provide information and documentation to the staff at Stony Brook University Hospital regarding any participants of CPEP Bridging.
- Adhere to regulations required by both HALI and Stony Brook Settings.
- Engage in Co-supervision with HALI Supervisor and Stony Brook Supervisor.
- Provide intensive and hands-on, time-limited peer support and service linkage services for the approximately 10-15 Peer Bridger enrollees in the setting of their choice.
- Ongoing engagement with individuals focused on developing or executing recovery plans, connections to community supports, natural supports or clinical services.
- Project positive image of HALI via inter-agency relationships and occasional public speaking and promote overall agency vision of recovery, peer support, empowerment, and social justice.
Additional tasks/duties as assigned.
To accomplish this job successfully, employees must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Qualifications
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Strong understanding of system resources, including housing, entitlements, and clinical (mental health, SUD, and medical) treatment options and relevant resources available in Suffolk County. Experience working with individuals who navigate insecurity of shelter, food, clothing or support is a plus.
- Strong understanding of Trauma Informed Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfort with public speaking.
- Experience with Electronic Health Records
Education, Experience, Licenses and/or Certifications
Required:
- NYS Certified Peer Specialist (CPS or CPS-P) required; candidates who are eligible and committed to obtaining certification within six (6) months of hire will also be considered.
- High School diploma or GED. Bachelor’s degree a plus.
- 2+ years of experience with peer support, mental health, housing, and/or social service
- Identification with mental health lived experience and willingness to disclose experience, and ability to strategically use experiences to relate to and support others now experiencing challenges.
- Valid NYS driver’s license. (HALI Vehicle Provided)
Preferred:
- Lived experience navigating systems such as Psychiatric Hospitals, Substance Detox/Rehabilitation, Criminal Justice, and/or Housing and Social Service
Travel Requirements: local travel may be required. A HALI vehicle will be used as appropriate.
Physical Requirements: 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.
Additional Requirements:
This role works in partnership with Stony Brook University Hospital and is subject to final onboarding and clearance requirements, which may include medical clearance, vaccination requirements, and other hospital-specific requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.
Skills Required
- NYS Certified Peer Specialist (CPS or CPS-P) or eligible and committed to obtain within six months
- High school diploma or GED
- Bachelor's degree
- 2+ years experience with peer support, mental health, housing, or social services
- Identification with mental health lived experience and ability to use it strategically in peer support
- Valid New York State driver's license
- Experience with Electronic Health Records
- Strong understanding of system resources (housing, entitlements, clinical treatment options) in Suffolk County
- Knowledge of Trauma Informed Peer Support, WRAP, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, Motivational Interviewing, and Active Listening
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, comfort with public speaking
- Willingness to undergo hospital onboarding requirements (medical clearance, vaccinations)
- Lived experience navigating psychiatric hospitals, detox/rehab, criminal justice, or housing/social service systems
What We Do
Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) is a grassroots advocacy community and the largest peer-run mental health organization in New York State. Founded by survivors of the state psychiatric system, HALI offers peer-delivered supports and advocacy for people experiencing trauma, mental health, and substance use challenges on Long Island and the NYC metro area, creating an empowering community for healing and growth.
