The Peer Specialist I is serving as a fully integrated member of the Addiction Medicine treatment team. This fast-paced and dynamic role requires a self-motivated individual who provides non-clinical peer support to patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, while frequently traveling between hospital buildings. Drawing from their own lived experience, Peer Specialists serve as recovery role models and educators, helping individuals identify and overcome barriers to treatment, navigate recovery supports, and achieve their personal recovery goals. They also promote recovery-oriented values and principles while collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to enhance patient engagement and support successful treatment outcomes.
This part-time position based at UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals.
Responsibilities:
Feedback and Communication
- Provide feedback to clients, families, and clinical staff.
Recovery Management
- Assist clients in recovery management, including goal setting, identifying barriers, and strategies.
- Help clients find and use community supports and resources.
Advocacy
- Advocate for clients in meetings, voicing their viewpoints and goals.
Community Engagement
- Accompany clients to community activities and provide follow-up services.
- Facilitate recovery and wellness groups; offer individual support.
Progress Monitoring
- Monitor progress and provide feedback.
Crisis Support
- Use crisis support to develop and implement action plans.
Documentation
- Maintain required paperwork and documentation promptly.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist certification is preferred.
Have lived experience in one or more of the following areas: mental health, substance use disorder, the recovery process, and willing to share experiences to the benefit of clients/patients served.
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.
Able to articulate to clients/patients, families, and to interested stakeholders that peer support is a non-clinical service to promote recovery and wellness.
Basic understanding of mental health, wellness, and resiliency.
Familiar with Office 365 – e.g., Microsoft Word, Outlook.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran