Outreach Certified Peer Specialist- Perinatal and Postpartum

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

Hours: M-F 930 am to 6 pm

Rate of Pay: $25 (Provisional) $28 (Full)

Drivers license and peer certification required

OVERVIEW OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES:

The Certified Peer Perinatal & Postpartum Specialist provides compassionate, recovery-oriented peer support to pregnant and postpartum individuals receiving CCBHC services. Using lived experience and trauma-informed care, the Specialist promotes hope, wellness, empowerment, and self-determination; connects individuals with community resources; supports engagement in care and appointment follow-up; and helps individuals navigate barriers and strengthen their support systems. The role includes collaboration with the treatment team, documentation, quality improvement activities, and community-based services while maintaining professional and ethical standards.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

As a Certified in Peer-Perinatal & Postpartum, you will:

• Inspire Hope: Welcome individuals into care with warmth, compassion, and the belief that recovery is possible.
• Promote Empowerment & Self-Determination: Support individuals in setting and achieving their personal recovery goals.
• Model Recovery: Use your own lived experience to foster a recovery mindset and demonstrate what is possible.
• Build Meaningful Relationships: Establish mutual, respectful, and trusting partnerships.
• Provide Strength-Based Support: Help individuals identify and build on their personal strengths and life skills.
• Encourage Community Integration: Support individuals in accessing community resources and building meaningful connections.
• Provides compassionate, recovery-oriented peer support to pregnant and postpartum individuals receiving services through Access Supports for Living’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).
• Using lived experience, trauma-informed care, and recovery principles, the Peer Specialist empowers individuals throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum by promoting hope, wellness, engagement, and self-determination.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL / ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT:

• Resource Connector: Guide individuals toward community supports and services.
• Ally & Confidant: Offer nonjudgmental listening and shared experiences.
• Mentor & Role Model: Help others envision and navigate their own recovery paths.
• Problem Solver & Planner: Assist with identifying barriers and exploring strategies to overcome them.
• Educator & Tour Guide: Introduce individuals to the principles of recovery, including stages, tools, and culture.
• Work in the community, clinic, and client homes as appropriate.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Document services according to CCBHC standards.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.
• Support crisis prevention through early engagement and connection to services.
• Assist with appointment reminders and follow-up contacts.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to maternal behavioral health.
• Provide additional support to the program when needed.
• Community-based travel throughout the day.  

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery oriented perinatal & postnatal.
• Experience overcoming life challenges while coping with a behavioral health condition.
• New York State Peer Certification or Provisional Certification.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends as scheduled.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working with pregnant or postpartum populations preferred
• Knowledge of community resources and maternal support services preferred
• Drivers license required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Peer support experience in a behavioral health or recovery setting.
• Knowledge of local community resources and recovery-oriented supports.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed and person-centered approaches.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to perform the job's essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the position, which are reviewed in each case.

• Must be capable of accessing all rooms and operational levels within multi-story community facilities and residential structures.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Navigating tight spaces.
• Occasional lifting (such as carrying a backpack, laptop, or program materials).
• Able to work in open space floor plan
• Must be capable to move throughout work day

Occasional lifting of > _25+ pounds