Peer Support Specialist

About the role

The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) is a person in recovery who uses their lived experience to support, mentor, and encourage high-risk patients who are at risk for poor health outcomes and those living without housing. The CPSS will act as a member of the Patient Care Team for coordination of care, identifying barriers to care, assessing individual needs, and providing education on understanding the interplay between physical health, mental health, social issues, and resource needs.

Responsibilities

• Meeting patients where they are, including street medicine and community outreach for the unhoused population.
• Provide emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliation support services to patients.
• Aid in setting recovery and goals and action plans for patients.
• Assist patients in accessing local programs, community service providers, and agencies to meet their needs.
• Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, criminal justice, or regulatory agencies.
• Maintain proficiency in computer skills to include eCW, HIMIS, email, word, excel programs.
• Utilize an electronic medical record to retrieve patient information and develop and enter patient data into a computer database and/or spreadsheet.
• Significant knowledge of community resources, services, and programs available to assist clients.
• Participate in various community events by representing RiverStone Health Clinic and providing accurate information regarding Clinic services available.
• Act as an advocate for the patient within the patient care team and other community support services and organizations.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and trainings to remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in healthcare.
• Work collaboratively with other Healthcare for the Homeless team members to conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are experiencing homelessness.
• Initiate contact with persons experiencing homelessness, provide information about services, identify barriers to care, and make appropriate referrals to other services or agencies in coordination with others on the HealthCare for the Homeless care team.
• Support at Satellite Clinics for access to resources and planning, including enrolling patients for services, answering phones, greeting patients, and aiding patients in all requirements to become patients at Riverstone Health.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Completed a state-approved Peer Support Training program and obtained Certification or willing to complete within 6 months of hire date.
• Any combination of experience and training which provide the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• Valid Montana driver's license.
• Certified Peer Support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with underserved populations.
• Experience working in a customer service environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.
• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client/patient interactions.
• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• Knowledge of ethics pertaining to peer support work.
• Ability to learn skills of trauma-informed care principles and motivational learning skills.

Skills

• Computer literacy, in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge and understanding of protected sensitive patient health information (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive work environment.
• Ability to maintain a calm and positive demeanor during difficult client/patient interactions.
• Ability to display non-judgmental and empathetic listening skills.
• Knowledge of ethics pertaining to peer support work.
• Ability to learn skills of trauma-informed care principles and motivational learning skills.

Benefits

Healthcare for the Homeless offers significant knowledge of community resources, services, and programs available to assist clients. Uses community platforms to identify patient population and stay current in community.

Pay

$20.32 to $25.35 hourly; depending on number of years and transferrable experience.

Schedule

Monday-Friday; 7am to 4pm.