Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

Department/Care Stream: Health Care Delivery

LIA Reporting Structure

Timecard Approver: Health Center Manager

Primary: Manager of Peer Support Services       

Secondary: Peer Support and Training Manager

Status: Full Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location: NBH

Level of Team: Care Team

Pay Range: $23.00 - $26.75/hr.

EEO-1: Technicians

Organization Information

WellSpace's mission is "achieving regional health through high quality comprehensive care." We believe that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work, or what place you call home. At WellSpace, we see you!  

We are driven to serve the whole person through comprehensive, integrated care, spanning medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services across the region. We do this by building a team of exceptional colleagues who are dedicated to our mission and becoming part of the communities we serve. 

As the region's largest Community Health System, WellSpace utilizes a Confluence Model to integrate an internal network of healthcare modalities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC), Drug Medi-Cal and Specialty Mental Health programs, California's second largest 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, an independent Risk Bearing Organization (WellSpace Nexus), and more into a seamless confluence of care.

To ensure the highest quality of care, WellSpace is accredited by the Joint Commission for Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health and as a CCBHC. Further, it is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home and a Behavioral Health Home. WellSpace's crisis programs are accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and the International Council for Helplines. 

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in WellSpace Health's mission of providing compassionate support and guidance to individuals navigating mental health or substance use conditions. Drawing on their personal Iived experience, the Peer Support Specialist offers peer-to-peer connection, modeling coping and recovery skills, and fostering self-advocacy and empowerment. The Peer Support Specialist empowers individuals to build recovery capital, connect with community resources, and achieve their wellness goals. In this role, the PSS also helps clients strengthen their natural support systems (friends, family, and community networks) and develop self-efficacy skills. The PSS serves as a role model of recovery, resilience, and hope, guiding people as they gain control over their lives and pursue their individual goals. This role requires in person and virtual peer support for the Peer Support program.

Required Qualifications

• California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification or eligibility to obtain within 90 days of hire. (see details at https://www.capeercertification.org/certification/).
• Lived experience with mental health, criminal justice, and/or substance use disorder recovery.
• Strong understanding of recovery principles and evidence-based practices.
• If in recovery, we prefer you to have at least two years of sobriety.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities.
• Cultural competency and understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to develop trusting relationships and support individuals facing challenges.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
• An understanding of computer use, including Microsoft Office, electronic health records and virtual support platforms.
• Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
• Willingness to participate in professional development opportunities.
• Willingness to address and work to eliminate personal biases while providing culturally responsive support.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently.
• Must be willing to successfully complete the onboarding/credentialing process.

Essential Responsibilities

• Utilizing personal lived experience, provide peer support and help individuals navigate various systems, including mental health, medical treatment, addiction/recovery, criminal or juvenile justice, that may include professional visits in carceral settings (jail and/or prison) navigate various systems foster care, education, military service, and LGBTQ+ services.
• Meeting clients one-on-one, in person or virtual/telehealth, to offer support, resource navigation, and crisis intervention when needed.
•  Build trusting relationships and engage clients in person or virtual/telehealth platforms while ensuring physical and emotional safety.
• Act as a partner and intermediary between peers and formal service providers by advocating recovery-oriented services, connecting clients to appropriate resources, and role-modeling effective problem-solving skills.
• Provide culturally responsive support using evidence-based practices such as Positive Youth Development, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Motivational Interviewing etc.
• Empower clients to advocate for themselves, set goals, and implement achievable steps toward recovery, independence, and wellness.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, healthy routines, and habits of mental health and wellness hygiene, hope, belonging and connection.
• Maintain communication with clients through designated HIPAA-compliant platforms, using them for scheduling, introductions, and preliminary engagement, as well as for follow-up and sending requested resources.
• Refer clients to community-based resources, support, and opportunities to strengthen natural networks of care.
• Document interactions, complete required paperwork, and comply with confidentiality standards and mandatory reporting requirements (including abuse/neglect reports to DHS).
• Complete visit notes, safety plans, care plans, and all other required documentation within (24) hours of each appointment, including timely updates to appointment status.
• Maintain responsibility for keeping Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification in good standing, ensuring it remains valid at all times.
• Maintain professionalism by being punctual, keeping availability updated, staying informed by reviewing organizational communications, and regularly staying in contact with supervisors and coworkers.
• Collaborate with supervisors, healthcare providers, and team members; attend meetings, supervision, and continuing education/training as required.
• Assist and support the Center/Department/Program to meet standards of High Reliability.
• Uphold organizational policies, promote equity and inclusion, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Attend staff meetings, co/supervisions, individual supervision, training, and other required meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Successful candidate will receive a regionally competitive salary, above-average health benefits at reduced costs, paid life insurance & long-term disability insurance, an additional voluntary retirement plan with organizational match, and no vesting schedule requirement.

• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Flexible Spending Program
• Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
• Professional development hours offered annually

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The work environment is characteristic of a typical healthcare clinic environment.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and arms to reach.  The employee is also required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.   The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care.  The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids (blood, urine) and hazardous chemicals.

WellSpace Health is committed to the principles of equal employment.  We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations.  It is the intent of WellSpace Health to maintain a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.  WellSpace Health is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

                                                              WellSpace Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer