Peer Support Specialist - Jail Based

Why Join Unison Health?

Unison Health provides a mission-driven work environment focused on staff support, professional growth, and work-life balance. We are committed to helping our employees thrive while making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. For over 50 years, Unison Health has proudly supported individuals, families, and communities across Ohio. From behavioral health and substance abuse treatment to primary healthcare, we are dedicated to our mission: Making Lives Better.

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 16 days/year
• Medical with federal minimum deductibles
• Dental and vision coverage
• Retirement planning and employer contribution

About the role

The Jail-Based Peer Support Specialist serves as a mentor, advocate, and guide by providing peer support services to individuals during incarceration and throughout their transition back into the community, in accordance with State, Agency, and Program policies, guidelines, and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive outreach following release
• Offer emotional and recovery support
• Assist with ongoing case management
• Teach recovery and coping skills
• Connect individuals with local community resources
• Help clients navigate and access services both during incarceration and after returning to the community
• Share personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to build trust, promote hope, reduce barriers, and empower individuals in their own recovery journey
• Provide insight and support to non-peer staff by identifying potential barriers and challenges that may negatively impact an individual's engagement in treatment and recovery
• Work as an integral member of the Jail-Based Treatment Team and actively collaborate with team members to coordinate services and support positive outcomes for clients

Key Responsibilities & Role Highlights

• Provide peer support and assertive community-based services to individuals assigned to the Jail-Based Program, using a client-centered, recovery-oriented, culturally competent, and trauma-informed approach in accordance with State mandates, agency policies, procedures, and individual service plans
• Assess client needs, monitor symptoms, and use clinical judgment and current DSM information to provide appropriate support, interventions, crisis stabilization, and recovery-focused services while seeking supervision when needed
• Participate in the development and implementation of individualized care plans, assist clients with accessing mental health, physical health, and community services, and provide education and skill development related to recovery, wellness, communication, independent living, and community reintegration
• Provide advocacy, outreach, and intensive follow-up services, including support following a crisis, discharge from jail, or missed appointments, while helping clients overcome barriers to treatment and successfully transition into the community
• Utilize personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to provide hope, encouragement, and empowerment to clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and supporting individuals in their own recovery journey
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, client records, confidentiality, and releases of information in accordance with federal regulations and agency policies; meet established productivity standards and complete assigned responsibilities within required timeframes
• Collaborate with Jail-Based Team members and community partners, participate in team meetings, supervision, trainings, and conferences, maintain required certifications and scope of practice, follow Unison policies and procedures, and perform additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Two- or four-year degree in social work, psychology, LPN, or QHHS status
• CPR certification within 90 days of hire
• CPI Certification within 90 days of hire
• At least 21 years of age
• Meet requirements and become a certified peer supporter within six months of hire
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental illness and the recovery process (knowledge of co-occurring disorders and treatment is preferred)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that will include some evenings and weekends based on client’s needs (no holidays required)
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and react appropriately to a person in crisis for the purposes of de-escalating or linking with the appropriate level of care for treatment
• Provide services within the person’s scope of practice and commit to seeking continuing education to further enhance service delivery skills
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, including therapeutic relationships with clients and represent the agency in a professional, positive manner at all times
• Demonstrate knowledge in chronic physical health issues and needs of persons who are SPMI or SED
• Demonstrate the ability to define problems, analyze data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions and make recommendations
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, commitment to provide superior service, and enthusiastic support for the mission of the agency
• Demonstrate personal integrity, the ability to develop and work as part of a team, and a commitment to the mission of the agency
• Ability to work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset and at times hostile individuals
• Ability to drive and be insured under the agency’s commercial liability policy as a driver if hired in a program where driving is required