Strive Guide

About the role

firsthand supports individuals living with SMI (serious mental illness) through a holistic approach that includes peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists, and clinicians. Our teams meet each individual where they are, acting as trusted guides on their journey to better health. Using lived experience, team members build trust and support reconnection to necessary healthcare while minimizing inappropriate utilization. Together with health plan partners, firsthand is changing how society supports those most impacted by SMI.

The firsthand STRIVE program empowers individuals to move into the self-management phase of their recovery journey. STRIVE guides support individuals as they transition toward self-management by providing virtual connections to prevent relapse and rehospitalizations, scheduling annual Whole Person Assessments (WPA) with fH Health Guides (Nurse Practitioners), and quickly connecting individuals with local resources when needed. The STRIVE Guide is a critical role in firsthand’s long-term care model, focused on building trusted, ongoing relationships to support physical and behavioral health.

We are seeking creative, collaborative candidates with lived experience who embody our core values and thrive on finding innovative solutions for underserved populations.

Responsibilities

• Perform virtual outreach to individuals with serious mental illness and collaborate closely with community fH teams to establish trust with individuals approaching self-management
• Conduct warm introduction sessions to describe fH STRIVE services and ensure individuals understand and desire to move to STRIVE
• Be accountable for completion of initial introductory meetings, quarterly assessments, ongoing continuous engagement, and scheduling/completion of HG visits for a panel of STRIVE individuals
• Empower individuals to identify and pursue personal recovery goals and complete quality documentation
• Ensure individuals are quickly connected with local resources during social or clinical crises
• Serve as the primary point-of-contact for individuals, facilitating ongoing engagement
• Communicate key information, progress, and challenges to the integrated care team
• Support the implementation of STRIVE operational processes to advance the vision of a world where individuals with serious mental and physical illnesses live their best possible lives

Requirements

• Lived experience with SMI and/or SUD
• State Peer Recovery certification, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment
• Valid driver’s license in good standing, with the ability to operate a vehicle (company vehicle may be provided) and eligibility to drive under the company’s insurance policy
• Demonstrated proficiency with technical tools such as email, messaging services, and apps
• Two (2) years of demonstrated recovery time from a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder at the date of application
• Completion of a paid training period prior to serving individuals and passing required assessments

Qualifications

• Empathy, compassion, patience, persistence, and a creative mindset
• Personal knowledge of recovery
• Excellent organizational, project management, and creative problem-solving skills with a team-focused and continuous improvement orientation
• High degree of personal accountability coupled with a strong sense of efficiency and urgency
• Humility and willingness to “roll up sleeves” and attend to details
• Established track record of strong communication across national community teams
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing strategies and needs for firsthand, its staff, and individuals served
• Desire to help people in need and support their path to wellness

Preferred experience

• Experience with direct in-person engagement for individuals with SMI and SUD
• Expertise in recovery education and coaching
• Understanding of whole health and trauma-informed approaches to peer support
• Familiarity with local community resources, behavioral health systems, and the criminal justice system (e.g., mental health and drug courts)
• Ability to thrive in a mobile environment, spending 80%+ of time in the community (homes, hospitals, streets) rather than an office
• Eagerness to expand knowledge about a broad range of health conditions

Pay

Hourly Pay Rate: $22—$22 USD

Benefits

• Full-time compensation package including base salary, equity, and performance bonus potential
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental wellness coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents
• Vacation accrual: 120 hours annually (4.62 hours per pay period) in the first year, stepping up to 160 hours annually (6.15 hours per pay period) after one year
• Inclusive, welcoming culture

Employment is contingent upon meeting medical clearance requirements, including evidence of vaccination for/immunity to COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Chickenpox, Tetanus, and Diphtheria, with cadence/frequency as advised by the CDC (unless prohibited by state law). New hires may request exemptions for valid religious or medical reasons; approvals are case-by-case and not guaranteed. firsthand Health will only contact candidates from email addresses ending in @firsthandcares.com and will never ask for payment or sensitive financial information during the hiring process.