Trauma Informed Peer

Who is Bridging Access to Care, Inc.: Bridging Access to Care, Inc. (BAC) is a nonprofit, multi-service, community-based behavioral health care organization committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.

In 2012, Brooklyn Aids Task Force changed its name to BAC and successfully made the transition from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service community-based healthcare organization. Brooklyn Aids Task Force was the very first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn prioritizing serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) since 1986. Today, BAC provides mental health and substance use-related social services, comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, and coordinated health care and supportive services to under-served racial and ethnic minority communities in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.

Bridging Access to Care, Inc. offers a competitive salary package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

JOB SUMMARY: We are seeking a compassionate, committed Trauma-Informed Care Peer to join our OASAS 822-certified outpatient clinic. This role is designed for individuals with lived experience of substance use and recovery who are passionate about supporting others on their journey toward healing, particularly those impacted by trauma. As part of the First Steps Clinic this role will be part of a multi-disciplinary team providing trauma-informed peer support to individuals with substance use diagnosis. The Peer will serve as a champion for Trauma-informed care within the Behavioral Health Division.

The Trauma-Informed Peer will provide peer support services grounded in the principles of trauma-informed care, recovery, empowerment, and mutual respect. As part of professional development, the successful candidate will be required to obtain the New York State AIDS Institute Trauma-Informed Peer Certification within 3 months of hire.

EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCES:

• Minimum High School Diploma/GED

• 2 years of Human Service Experience, strongly preferred

o Will consider advanced education in LIEU of working experience

CERTIFICATION:

• Credentialed Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or provisional Credentialed Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA-P) or Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Trainee (CASAC T) required

• Must be willing to obtain Certified Peer Worker (CPW) from the NYS DOH AIDS Institute in any of the five certification tracks: HIV, Hepatitis C, Harm Reduction, PrEP or Criminal Justice. (Enrollment in classes is acceptable) within 3 months of hire.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Substance Use Service delivery:

· Provide peer support services, both one-on-one and group settings, to individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders, with a focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered engagement.

· Share lived experience in a respectful, purposeful, and professional manner to inspire hope, model recovery, and reduce stigma.

· Provide community outreach to engage individuals not currently connected to care, raise awareness of available services, and build trust with underserved populations.

· Participate in community events, resource fairs, and educational activities to promote recovery, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.

· Support program participants in navigating systems of care (e.g., treatment, housing, employment, healthcare).

· Assist individuals in developing and implementing self-directed recovery plans.

· Collaborate with clinical staff to ensure integrated, person-centered care planning.

· Facilitate warm handoffs and linkages to supportive services both within the organization and across the community.

· Attend required training and supervision sessions; maintain ethical and professional boundaries in all interactions.

· Complete required documentation in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with OASAS and agency standards.

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Patient Education

· Explain to patients what to expect from medical and other service appointments

· Explain to patients what to expect from TIC screening, brief education, and psychoeducation

· Advocate to patients the advantages of obtaining the full range of appropriate TIC services

· Describe the benefits of the screening and brief education session

· Describe the benefits of psychoeducation classes

· Describes the role of TIC in self-management of chronic conditions

· Educate patients on harm reduction and safer injection principles

· Support the education of patients on laws regarding syringe exchange

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Patient Engagement and Retention Support

· Track patient progress through TIC services, including follow-up with patients before, between, and

· after individual or group psychoeducation classes

· Support the provision of TIC group psychoeducation

· Identify barriers to care and/or to adherence and retention in care, including TIC services; work

· with the multidisciplinary team to address these barriers

· Reinforce key TIC concepts and tools to client through discussion and practice

· With patient and multidisciplinary team, support the development and/or implementation of care

· plans to manage chronic condition(s) using a TIC lens

Patient Navigation

· Set appointments, create appointment reminders, and reschedule appointments

· Escort patients to appointments within the agency, including TIC services

· Escort or accompany patients to referral appointments in the community

· Arrange transportation

· Provide PPE (masks/gloves) for use in transit to/from appointments and during appointments

Linkage and Referral

· Support linkage to service providers and TIC services via phone, email, face-to-face meetings and

· case conferences

· Support trauma informed referrals, within and outside the organization

· Provide information and referrals to alternate sources of clean needles when agency is closed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Understanding of the needs, culture, and challenges of the community served by the agency/program

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strengths-based, nonjudgmental, supportive, and patient-centered approach

• Comfort with appropriate self-disclosure to motivate and support patients

• Basic motivational interviewing skills

• Basic computer proficiency, including Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, and EHR systems

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience as a consumer of syringe exchange programs?
• Do you have lived experience with living with HIV or Hepatitis C?
• Do you currently have a valid active NYS OASAS CASAC T credential? (optional)
• Do you currently have a valid active NYCB CRPA-P or CRPA credential? (optional)

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• EHR systems: 2 years (Required)
• PrEP: 2 years (Required)
• working with the incarceration: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person