Peer Support Specialist

39 Paid Days Off Each Year

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) has lived experience with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health and substance use and has been successful in their recovery process. They will serve as an advocate for patients and provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to individuals with severe mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use/addiction disorders utilizing a harm reduction approach. The PSS will assess the personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental needs for patients and aid in treatment course through home, community, and office visits. The PSS will work closely with the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) team including medical providers, therapists, and care coordinators. They will work under the supervision of the Substance Use Disorders Clinical Manager and Director of Behavioral Health. The PSS will primarily engage patients in the MAT Program as well as patients from across the clinics who have been identified as struggling with substance use. The PSS will encourage patients to participate in recovery-oriented activities and develop a network of supports. The PSS will provide individually-based motivational treatment and support to clients to assist them in their recovery from mental illness.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Engage with patients in the MAT Program and support patients in their recovery goals.
• Help patients identify and access needed resources and recovery supports both internally and externally.
• Encourage patients to engage in meaningful activities and develop social networks.
• Provide at least 50% of services in the community to existing patients and new patients.
• Utilize motivational interviewing techniques and other approaches to encourage patients to attend all scheduled appointments with their integrated team members.
• Perform outreach to educate community partners about the benefits of the (MAT) program.
• Collaborate with providers in other care settings (hospitals, emergency rooms, treatment centers) to improve communication during transitions of care.
  
  

Required Skills Or Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with patients and other members of the care team.
• Displays high energy, empathy, and organizational skills daily.
• Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate, by telephone or face-to-face.
• Work flexible work schedules, which could include evenings, when necessary and ability to travel locally, from clinic to clinic, when necessary.
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience, Or Licensure

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Active CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) credential.
• Fluent English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience with, or ability to learn, assessment tools and treatment planning for common mental health and/or substance use disorders, when appropriate, and screening for those.
• Prior experience working with underserved, transient populations and patients who have co-occurring mental health, substance abuse, and physical health problems.
  
  

Benefits

• 27 days of PTO each year, accrued each pay period
• 3 personal days
• 1 floating holiday
• 8 paid holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision coverage available the 1st of the month following 30 days
• Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Discretionary 403(b) match and profit sharing after meeting service requirements
• Flexible spending accounts
• Accident & critical illness coverage
• Pet insurance
  
  

Salary

All wages are based on relevant years of experience. The minimum rate is the wage that someone without peer support experience will earn.

COVID vaccinations are a requirement for PrimeCare Community Health. Proof of full vaccination is required prior to the start date of employment.

PrimeCare Health is firmly committed to creating a diverse workplace and is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants . T herefore, PrimeCare does not discriminate on the basis of creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital or parental status, alienage, disability, political affiliation or belief, military or military discharge status.