Peer Support Specialist

Healthfirst is a reputable health care organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate behavioral health care management services to diverse communities across downstate New York. With a strong commitment to improving mental health outcomes, Healthfirst supports members through an integrated and person-centered approach, ensuring individuals receive appropriate care that aligns with their unique needs. The organization is recognized for its collaborative efforts with health care providers, social workers, and community resources to facilitate effective care coordination and promote recovery among vulnerable populations. Employing a dynamic team of professionals, Healthfirst values lived experiences and empowers its employees to create meaningful change in the lives of the members they serve.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) role within Healthfirst's Behavioral Health Care Management Team is a vital and impactful position designed for individuals who utilize their own lived experience to inspire and support Healthfirst members coping with mental health and substance use disorders. This role involves direct interaction with members both in field-based settings and through telephonic communication, embodying a person-centered care philosophy. The PSS plays a critical role in linking members to appropriate resources, assisting them in building the skills needed to navigate complex health care systems, and collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams to foster engagement in services and reduce obstacles to recovery. Responsibilities also include administering assessments and questionnaires, facilitating necessary documentation processes, and supporting care management activities. Additionally, the PSS may provide translation services when required, enhancing communication and access to services for non-English speaking members. The position requires regular community-based field visits, including hospital, facility, and home visits across downstate New York.

This employment opportunity offers a competitive salary range ranging from $34,900 to $52,000 depending on location and candidate qualifications. Healthfirst also provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401k contributions, and various incentive and recognition programs, ensuring that its employees are well-supported and valued. The Peer Support Specialist position demands proficiency in managing caseloads, effective communication, and the ability to operate efficiently within a fast-paced team environment. Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel is essential, as is the ability to travel throughout the designated geographic service areas, including the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Orange County, and Westchester. Candidates with bicultural and bilingual capabilities, particularly in Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese, are highly preferred.

Overall, the Peer Support Specialist position at Healthfirst offers a unique and fulfilling opportunity to make a tangible difference in the behavioral health landscape. By leveraging personal recovery experiences, PSS professionals provide crucial peer support that enhances members' health outcomes and quality of life. Prospective candidates will find themselves valued members of a multidisciplinary health care team committed to collaborative care, community outreach, and individualized support strategies. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about behavioral health advocacy, capable of balancing empathy with professional boundaries, and eager to contribute in a meaningful way to the recovery journeys of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.