Peer Specialist Jobs

Peer Specialists are individuals with lived experience who provide non-clinical support as a fully integrated treatment team member and educator for staff. Peer Specialists are role models of recovery values and principles by helping to identify and remove barriers and triggers to treatment for individuals receiving services from inpatient or outpatient programs.

The dress code for this position is casual. There is mileage reimbursement for all work travel.

Responsibilities:

• Entry-level competency using a computer, including email use and Microsoft Word
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Personal Medicine, and Mental Health Advanced Directives documents and being able to share own recovery experience.
• Have lived experience and a self-disclosed primary mental health diagnosis, having experienced the recovery process, and willing to share experiences to the benefit of consumers served.
• Accompany consumers at various community support meetings or events whenever it is appropriate and provide follow-up services to consumers in a 1 to 1 setting, by phone, or by mobile visits.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of mental health and co-occurring disorder conditions or substance use that interfere with the activities of daily living and mental health wellness.
• Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist certification is preferred.
• Advocate for consumers and for the recovery message by actively participating in staff meetings, treatment team meetings, etc. and appropriately interjecting the consumer viewpoint and recovery goals.
• Monitor consumer progress with recovery goals and provide feedback as appropriate to consumer, family members, and clinical staff.
• Provide peer support services to consumers in the program setting, community, or in the consumer's home--as directed by Supervisor.
• Teach problem solving and social skills to consumers individually or in a group setting, through role modeling, coaching, and skill building in such areas as money management, transportation use, time management, etc.
• Assist consumers in identifying natural supports and resources in the community and educate consumers on how to utilize them in the recovery process.
• Able to articulate to consumers, families, and to interested stakeholders that peer support is a non-clinical service to promote recovery wellness.
• Progressed in own recovery and have basic understanding of the recovery principles: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Empowerment Skills, Self-Advocacy, Educational Opportunities, and the importance of using personal and community Supports.
• Maintain all required paperwork and documentation in a timely manner, as directed by Supervisor.
• Assist consumers in recovery management, including identifying recovery goals, barriers to achieving these goals and strategies to meeting goals.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries, as described peer orientation trainings.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• Driver's License

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Annual