Peer Recovery Coach I - Correctional Care

At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey. Our values: Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency.

About the role

The Peer Support Specialist will provide support, assistance, and advocacy for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges by utilizing their own lived experiences to offer support, mentoring, and resource sharing. This role involves aiding clients in building community, creating relationships, connecting with follow-up care, mentoring, and setting and achieving goals. The specialist will also build relationships with hospitals, community mental health providers, harm reduction organizations, supportive housing agencies, and law enforcement to educate about treatment availability and support effective linkage to services.

Responsibilities

• Perform outreach and engagement into local evidence-based treatment for people experiencing substance misuse and mental health challenges.
• Create authentic and meaningful supportive relationships with individuals seeking treatment and understand their needs to assist them in linking to appropriate resources.
• Facilitate peer recovery support services in group and/or individual settings.
• Assist participants with creating a personal recovery plan and/or provide resources to reduce barriers to care.
• Assist patients in completing necessary paperwork and document appropriately according to job requirements. (40%)
• Partner with treatment providers, hospitals, Emergency Departments, harm reduction organizations, support services, law enforcement, and community-based organizations to educate about treatment availability and ensure effective linkage to services.
• Participate in regular community meetings focused on addressing substance misuse and mental health challenges, as assigned by supervisor. (20%)
• Assist patients in accessing therapeutic and supportive services, promote personal growth, development, and recovery while meeting patients where they are.
• Act as a mentor and role model, aid in goal setting, building skills, and removing barriers to follow-up care.
• Advocate for people in recovery while serving as a living example of someone who has previously suffered from addiction or mental health issues and desires to help others achieve and maintain recovery. (40%)

Requirements

• Lived experience of recovery from substance use and/or successful management of mental health challenges for a minimum of 1 year (longer period preferred).
• Completion of minimum 60 hours of peer support specialist training or willingness to complete this training within 6 months of employment. Approved peer training should count towards Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) certification, National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification, or an equivalent peer certification. Full certification not required, only training hours completed. Equivalent peer training hours must be approved by a board recognized by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) as meeting minimum standards.

Qualifications

• No High School Diploma and/or No GED Required (High School Diploma or GED Preferred).

Skills

• Strong, effective, responsive communication skills.
• Excellent customer service.
• Organized and attentive to details.
• Ability to summarize the positive effects of personal recovery experience and willingness to share this experience in a helpful way.
• Must honor, support, and accept all pathways to recovery.
• Basic computer skills, including ability to use Microsoft Office Programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel, and to operate a copier and scanner.
• Cross-cultural skills and experience with culturally diverse populations.

Pay

$21.00 - $26.37 / hr

Benefits

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 holidays.
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks.
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%.
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer-paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center and nationally recognized RESTORE Center.
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation).
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more.
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance.
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) supporting internal career growth and advancement pathways.
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer with free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program.
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer.

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation. It includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan, and Denver Health Foundation. As Colorado’s primary and essential safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization providing millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year. Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many cultural and recreational activities.