Peer Support Specialist

Works as part of the Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility (HHRTF) team to provide peer support to patients and residents. The peer support specialist uses shared experience, motivational interviewing, and practical problem solving to provide non-clinical services to children, adolescents, and young adults at HHRTF, including participating in treatment activities and modeling effective participation. This role can act as a liaison between patients/residents, families, and community-based resources.

1. Meets with patients or residents, using training and shared experience to engage patients and inform them about opportunities for support.
2. Educates patients, residents and caregivers about mental health services and supports and assists with connecting with those services as directed by the clinical team.
3. Meet with facilitators of therapeutic groups to help with planning; attend groups to model appropriate participation and assist with co-facilitation as directed by clinical staff.
4. Engages with children and adolescents one-on-one.
5. Works with the team to support patients or residents post-discharge by helping to navigate the transition to a different setting.
6. Assist individuals to identify and develop natural community supports to foster independence and community integration, including social determinants of health.
7. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with local community service providers.
8. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with treatment teams to facilitate alignment of clinical care
9. Maintains professional boundaries at all times, accurately represents the role of peer support specialist, and encourages patients to seek clinical and/or medical advice from their appropriate provider.
10. Attends meetings and/or trainings as required or encouraged by departmental leaders.
11. Documents program measures and outcomes in patient’s medical record or as otherwise required by the program.
12. Abides by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and any additional regulations set forth by Dartmouth-Health.
13. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

• Completion of Certified Peer Support Specialist training within 12 months of hire.
• Experience relating to individuals with trauma needed; empathic and non-judgmental approach essential.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Has access to dependable transportation; vehicle and license highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening, and customer service skills.
• Ability to develop professional working relationships with community partners and organizations.
• Developed problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Medical record documentation experience a plus.
• Experience with doing both formal and informal presentations.

Required Licensure/Certifications

Dartmouth Health is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.