Respite Worker

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all.
We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

The Residential Crisis Support Program Respite Center (CRC) is a Community Access Health Division program. The CRC is an alternative to hospitalization program offering short-term respite care in a friendly and supportive home-like environment. Guests are provided with the opportunity to learn and use recovery and relapse prevention skills to ameliorate their current psychiatric crisis and to provide more effective tools to cope with future crises and avoid hospital-based care.

Recovery-oriented services are provided 24-hour and day and include peer support, self-advocacy education and self-help training. The Residential Crisis Support Program offers people experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis an up to 28 days residential alternative while supporting individuals in continuing their established daily activities such as visiting with friends, attending a doctor’s appointment or going to work.

The 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.

• Assigned guests will have at least one progress note per day demonstrating appropriate, service goal-driven peer support.
• All progress notes are written within 48 hours of the meeting.
• Service Plans for assigned guests completed within 24 hours of admission.

• 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 for follow through.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Available to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends and cover holidays.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply on (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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..org