New

Peer Specialist

VNS Health
paid time off, tuition reimbursement
United States, New York, Bronx
Oct 28, 2026
Overview VNS Health Peer Specialists/ Advocates are living examples of the transformative power of behavioral health intervention programs and who can uniquely relate to those that would benefit from VNS Health Behavioral Health services. Peer Specialists/Advocates embody our core values of Empathy, Integrity, and Agility to engage and connect community members suffering from chronic mental illness, psychological trauma, or substance abuse with meaningful resources. By sharing personal, practical experience, knowledge, and firsthand insights, Peer Specialists/ Advocates directly help VNS Health clients live and heal at home surrounded by their family and community. VNS Health provides vital client-centered behavioral health care to New Yorkers most in need, across all stages of life and mental well-being. We deliver care wherever our clients are, including outpatient clinics, clients' homes, and the community. Our short- and long-term service models include acute, transitional, and intensive care management programs that impact the most vulnerable populations, from children, to adolescents, to aging adults. As part of our fast-growing Behavioral Health team, you'll have an opportunity to develop and advance your skills, whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional. Sharing your experience with others who are navigating behavioral health and substance use challenges is life changing which is why we welcome you to apply even if you don't meet all criteria. 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 as a 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 clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals Teaches and models symptom management and coping skills for resilience. Empowers clients to take a proactive role in their recovery process Reviews service plans with clients/consumers/members and their families or caregivers. Provides ongoing education, guidance, support and encouragement Develops inventory of resources that will meet the client's needs as identified in theassessment and or-treatment process Provides navigation services to help clients/consumers/members connect with community-based services and supports Documents in EMR in accordance with program policies/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 HealthClinical (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. Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required FOR CCBHC ONLY: New York Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) required Minimum of one year experience in a mental health, substance use treatment program, health care or human services setting, preferred Experience working with a severely mentally ill, psychological trauma, and/or substance using population, preferred Effective oral/written/interpersonal communication and relationship building skills required Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team Computer literacy (electronic health records, word processing, e-mail, internet research, data entry), required Valid New York State driver's license, as determined by operational/regional needs Bilingual skills in English and Spanish, preferred Pay Range USD $20.98 - USD $26.23 /Hr. About Us VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We're one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.