Respite Worker - PD

Community Access was founded in 1974 to provide housing and support for people being discharged from psychiatric institutions. Today, we are one of the leading providers of supportive and affordable housing in New York City, and the originators of an integrated housing model which has become a best practice nationally: affordable housing where families live alongside people living with mental health concerns. Our staff work daily to support thousands of New Yorkers through supportive and affordable housing, peer-driven residential crisis support programs, training, advocacy, supported education, mobile treatment and other healing-focused services.

Program Description  

The Residential Crisis Support program, or “The Respite,” is a residential mental health crisis, alternative-to-hospitalization program offering short-term Peer-led care in a friendly and supportive home-like environment. Guests are provided with the opportunity to learn and practice recovery and relapse prevention skills to support their current mental health crisis and to provide more effective tools to cope with future crises and avoid hospital-based care. Recovery-oriented services are provided 24-hours a day and include peer support, self-advocacy education and self-help training while supporting guests to maintain their established daily activities such as visiting with friends, attending a doctor or other appointments or going to work or school. Guests are encouraged to participate in the operations of the residence, including working together to prepare communal meals. The maximum length of stay is 28 days. 

Position Overview 

The Per Diem Respite Worker is responsible for all tasks related to the program’s daily operation including providing individual and group-based supports to the guests, meal planning and preparation, and processing and preparing for referrals, intakes, and discharges. 

Key Performance Indicators 

All key performance indicators below are expected to be met fully.  

• Assigned guests have one progress note per day reflecting appropriate peer support. 
• All documentation is entered within 48 hours of the contact.

Job Qualifications 

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully – required.
• Previous professional experience in the behavioral health field - preferred.
• A respect for and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis – required.
• Commitment to recovery orientated practice and the ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
• NYS Peer Certification, or provisional level within 90 days of hire and full certification within one year of hire – required.
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED) –required.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Be creative and flexible.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Show initiative and be responsible forfollow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Available to workdays, evenings, overnights, weekends and cover holidays as assigned – required.
• Able to navigate several flights of stairs repeatedly during shift – required.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs. 

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V. 

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply. 

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as  

having a personal experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org