Peer Support Specialist Full Time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care within the Northwestern Medicine system.

About the role

The Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges by drawing upon their own lived experience of recovery. They will use this experience to inspire and support others, promote self-determination, and advocate for recovery-oriented practices. Operating from the Crisis Now concept, the Peer Support Specialist focuses on recovery orientation, trauma-informed care, and a philosophy that crises are an opportunity for learning. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the Peer Support Specialist provides mentorship, encourages patients to engage with their treatment, and helps build resilience.

Responsibilities

• Use training and personal recovery experiences to provide peer support for patients receiving care.
• Develop collaborative and caring relationships to support clients in initiating and remaining in supported employment and education services.
• Share personal lived experience with obtaining and maintaining a job or attending school while managing mental health symptoms to validate peers’ experiences, instill hope, and provide encouragement.
• Work with supported employment and education team to develop and maintain relationships with community supports, including jobs or internships sites, universities, training programs, etc.
• Educate peers, in individual and group settings, about skills related to health and wellness while navigating school and work.
• Work collaboratively with teams to help peers crisis plan and navigate crises.
• Value communication through active listening, person-first and recovery-oriented language, and timely documentation.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and trainings as applicable to the position.
• Advocate for peers’ needs and desires in team meetings, community settings, and with family using knowledge of relevant rights and laws.
• Reflect and examine own personal motivations, judgments, and feelings related to peer work.
• Utilize effective self-care and recognize personal signs of distress, understanding when to seek support.
• Provide recovery information and activities to patients, including resources and connection to natural supports following trauma-informed care principles.
• Assess and evaluate patient’s needs, strengths, goals, and resources.
• Advocate within systems to promote person-centered recovery support services.
• Work within an interdisciplinary team in reviewing cases and developing individual plans.
• Consult with other staff regarding assessment and treatment/intervention planning.
• Document service provision as required by NM standards and maintain clinical and management records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate ability to meet productivity requirements and outcome measures set in accordance with program goals.
• Attend required staffing and other meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Possesses a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Has entry-level employment experiences.
• Able to articulate personal experience in recovery when working with patients experiencing mental health and/or drug/alcohol issues.
• Upon completion of 2,000 hours supervised work experience, required to obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential.

Qualifications

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in behavioral health-related field.
• One year working with individuals with mental illness and/or drug and alcohol issues.
• Experience running Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) Classes.
• Certification as a WRAP facilitator.
• Preferred experience with post-secondary education training, either through previous or current enrollment at university, college, or training program.
• Lived experience in effectively coping with a mental health condition and capacity to share recovery story in a way that engages, inspires, and validates young adult clients.
• Preferred experience with both hourly and salaried employment.
• Certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Benefits include:

• Tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.