Peer Advocate , HIV Support Services (Staten Island)

About the position

Community Health Action of Staten Island, in partnership with Sun River Health, has developed a collaborative program to enhance care engagement, improve HIV health outcomes, and promote the well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) in Queens and Staten Island. The Ryan White Support Services program addresses unmet social service needs that have significantly hindered their access to and engagement in HIV and other essential medical care. This program will expand services to Staten Island and establish community-based, non-Medicaid eligible services in Queens to assess, identify, and address unmet social determinants of health (SDOH) needs. The Peer Advocate position was created as research and CHASI's values dictate that involving people who have their own lived experience with substance use, mental health conditions, and/ or HIV is invaluable in reaching and helping the population. The Peer Advocate mentors and guides individuals using their experiences to support people in a way that shows people that living a healthy life with HIV is not only possible but sustainable. The Peer Advocate maintains appropriate positive, professional interpersonal relationships with staff, participants, volunteers, and the community. They will be well versed in all CHASI and Sun River Health services to refer and link clients appropriate to services.

Responsibilities

• Provide overview of program, department, and agency services through Orientation activities
• Accompany participants to provider sites to give support and navigation assistance
• Co-facilitate group activities that teach clients how to identify high risk thoughts or actions and slow down impulsive behavior to change their thought patterns for prosocial behavior
• Assist with community outreach and program promotion to inform the public of available agency resources, as needed
• Provide food and nutrition counseling/education
• Successfully complete required food and nutrition counseling and education training held by the College of Staten Island
• Conduct telephone and office-based follow up with individuals to identify and address barriers to care and treatment
• Provide reminder phone calls to reinforce retention in care and services
• Reach out to participants to follow up on referrals made and to engage them into programming
• Outreach individuals who miss appointments
• Attend and participate in staff development trainings as required
• Actively participate in regularly scheduled supervision and attend team meetings
• Complete all program documentation in a timely manner
• Perform all functions in alignment with CHASI's Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Hold a NYS AIDS Institute Certified Peer credential, preferred. Other Peer certification from a reputable program can also be considered OR be able to obtain certification within first 6 months of hire
• Lived experience with HIV is highly preferred; candidates with lived experience with substance use and/or mental health conditions are welcomed also welcomed
• High school diploma or high school equivalency is highly preferred
• Bilingual Spanish is highly desired
• Possess an understanding of community-level work and the importance of collaborating and coordinating with other organizations
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to juggle priorities and manage time productively; thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of community resources and organizations in Staten Island
• Demonstrate organizational & problem-solving skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Familiarity with electronic health records or a willingness to learn

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time)
• Medical, dental, vision, supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs
• Tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• Retirement plan that includes employer matching