Peer Specialist

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities   

• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 20 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays 

• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability  

• Employer-matched retirement saving funds 

• Personal and financial wellness programs  

• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care  and commuter transit program

• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees 

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement  

• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities   

• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals 

What You Will Do

• Conducts phone and field outreach to locate and enroll clients/consumers/members into programs services

• Builds relationship and trust with clients and their family/caregiver and assists with their interactions with professionals on the team 

• Works collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team to discuss care needs and identify solutions to support clients/consumers/members 

• Applies mutually shared and lived experiences to build relationships and trust with the client/consumers/members

• Educates clients/consumers/members about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques. Serves asa role model, advocate and mentor. Escorts clients/consumers/members to appointments as needed 

• Advocates effective recovery-based services on behalf of clients/consumers/members. Assists in clarifyingrehabilitation and recovery goals 

• Teaches and models symptom management and coping skills for resilience. Empowers clients totake a proactive role in their recovery process

• Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoingeducation, guidance, support and encouragement 

• Develops inventory of resources that will meet the client's needs as identified in the assessment and or-treatmentprocess

• Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect withcommunity-based services and supports 

• Documents in EMR in accordance with programpolicies/procedures, VNS Health standards, and city, state and federal regulatory requirements 

• Assists clients/consumers/members with transition to alternate housing, when appropriate 

• Participates in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision and training programs

• Develops a mutual self-disclosure between themselves and clients/consumers/members. Serves as a bridge between team members and participant

• For Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinical (CCBHC): 

• Educates clients about the different types of treatment available, including medications for addiction treatment 

• Helps clients identify their strengths as well as obstacles to their recovery 

• Assists clients with applying for benefits 

• Provides resources for external and post-discharge services

• Participates as part of interdisciplinary team in discussion of, planning for and actively participating in treatment goals for clients/consumers/members 

• For IMT, ACT, MC, OMH Suicide Prevention:

• Practice regularly in the community, including traveling to patients’ homes, or schools, to engage frequently with clients. Navigate emergency situations 

About the Program

Behavioral Health Recruitment Guide

Comprehensive program summaries and recruitment messaging for use in job postings and candidate outreach.

Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT)

The Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) program provides comprehensive, community-based psychiatric care for adults living with serious mental illness who have experienced frequent hospitalizations, housing instability, or involvement with the justice system.

Why Join This Program: Make a direct impact on some of New York City's most vulnerable adults while working as part of a highly collaborative, community-based care team.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program delivers intensive, multidisciplinary behavioral health services to adults with serious mental illness who have a history of repeated psychiatric hospitalizations and difficulty engaging in traditional outpatient care.

Why Join This Program: Join a team that meets clients where they are and helps transform lives through innovative, recovery-focused care.

Integrated Outpatient Mental Health / Substance Use Disorder Clinic (IOS)

The Integrated Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Clinic (IOS) provides coordinated treatment for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Why Join This Program: Work in an integrated care setting where you can address both mental health and substance use needs through a holistic approach.

School-Based Outpatient Mental Health Clinic

The School-Based Outpatient Mental Health Clinic provides accessible behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and their families within the school setting.

Why Join This Program: Help students thrive by bringing critical behavioral health services directly into the communities where they learn and grow.

Promise Zone

Promise Zone is a school-based behavioral health program that supports emotionally and behaviorally challenged children and adolescents, their families, and school communities.

Why Join This Program: Partner with families, educators, and students to create lasting positive outcomes for youth.

Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI)

The Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI) supports older adults experiencing depression through screening, assessment, and in-home counseling services.

Why Join This Program: Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults by addressing mental health needs and reducing social isolation.

FRIENDS Program – Children and Family Support Team (CFST)

The FRIENDS Program provides crisis intervention, case management, and family support services to children and adolescents experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

Why Join This Program: Support children and families during critical moments and help build stronger foundations for long-term success.

Adult Mobile Crisis

The Adult Mobile Crisis program provides rapid, community-based crisis intervention and short-term case management for adults experiencing or at risk of a behavioral health crisis.

Why Join This Program: Be on the front lines of behavioral health crisis response and help individuals access care when they need it most.

Children’s Mobile Crisis

The Children’s Mobile Crisis program delivers immediate behavioral health crisis response services for children and adolescents in need of psychiatric assessment, stabilization, and de-escalation.

Why Join This Program: Provide life-changing support to children and families during moments of crisis and vulnerability.

Home Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI)

The Home Based Crisis Intervention (HBCI) program provides intensive, short-term crisis intervention and family support services to children and adolescents at risk of out-of-home placement.

Why Join This Program: Help keep families together by delivering intensive support that promotes stability and resilience.

Safe Pathways Suicide Prevention

Safe Pathways Suicide Prevention is a specialized outreach and intervention program serving LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth and young adults who may be at risk for suicide.

Why Join This Program: Advance health equity and save lives by supporting underserved youth through prevention, outreach, and compassionate care.

Health Home Care Management

Health Home Care Management provides long-term care coordination and case management services for adults living with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, and other complex chronic conditions. The program helps individuals navigate healthcare systems, access community resources, improve health outcomes, and achieve greater stability through coordinated, person-centered care.

Why Join This Program: Work across healthcare and community systems to help high-risk individuals improve their health, independence, and quality of life.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Care Management

The SUD Care Management program provides short-term care management, treatment linkage, and support services for adults and adolescents living with substance use disorders. The program focuses on engaging individuals with frequent emergency department and inpatient utilization, helping them access treatment, recovery resources, and ongoing support.

Why Join This Program: Play a key role in connecting individuals to recovery services and reducing barriers to treatment.

WeCARE Wellness Care Management

WeCARE Wellness Care Management supports individuals receiving cash assistance who have medical or behavioral health conditions that impact employability. Through wellness-focused care coordination, resource navigation, and case management, the program helps participants improve health outcomes, increase stability, and move toward greater self-sufficiency.

Why Join This Program: Empower individuals facing complex health and socioeconomic challenges while helping them build pathways toward improved wellness and independence.