Tacoma - Peer Support Specialist

Summary

As a Peer Support Specialist within our organization, you will play a vital role in providing support, guidance, and advocacy to individuals receiving behavioral health services. Drawing from your own lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, you will empower and inspire others on their path to recovery. Certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support and mentorship to individuals receiving behavioral health services, promoting self‑determination and recovery‑oriented goals.
• Utilize your lived experience to empathize, validate, and connect with individuals navigating mental health or substance use challenges.
• Foster a supportive and non‑judgmental environment where individuals feel safe to share experiences and explore their recovery journey.
• Assist individuals in developing coping skills, problem‑solving techniques, and strategies for managing symptoms and achieving personal goals.
• Advocate for the rights and preferences of individuals receiving services, ensuring their voices are heard and respected within the treatment process.
• Collaborate with clinical staff and other members of the treatment team to coordinate care and support overall well‑being.
• Facilitate peer‑led support groups, workshops, and educational sessions to enhance community engagement and promote recovery‑oriented practices.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of peer support activities and interactions, including assessments, treatment plans, and progressive notes, adhering to confidentiality and privacy regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations governing peer support services.
• Adhere to company policies, practices, and procedures to maintain organizational standards.
• Stay up‑to‑date with required training, certifications, and continuing education relevant to the role and regulatory standards.
• Adhere to mandatory reporting standards and participate in investigations, audits, and monitoring activities as required.
• Perform additional tasks, duties, and assignments as specified by your supervisor.

Competencies

• Empathy and compassion – ability to empathize, demonstrate compassion, and offer non‑judgmental support.
• Active listening – skill in validating experiences and providing constructive feedback.
• Peer support skills – proficiency in mentoring, advocacy, and facilitating mutual aid.
• Boundaries and ethics – understanding of professional boundaries, ethical guidelines, and confidentiality.
• Communication – effective verbal and written communication, clear articulation of ideas.
• Cultural competence – sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and diversity issues with inclusive support.
• Collaboration – ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and community partners.
• Technology use – proficient with PC, Windows, Internet, MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), and EHR systems (preferably AthenaOne).

Requirements

• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Personal experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges and willingness to disclose this experience during the application process.
• Adherence to policies and procedures at contracted facilities, including infection control and safety guidelines.
• Current tuberculosis (TB) screening results (within the last 12 months).
• Up‑to‑date COVID‑19 vaccination if required by the contracted nursing facility.
• Reliable transportation to travel to and from assigned nursing facilities.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Completion of a peer support specialist training program.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience providing peer support services in a behavioral health or related setting (preferred).

Certificates and Licenses

Certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) is required.

Additional Details

This position requires BHS‑branded scrubs to be worn at all times when working in or visiting a nursing facility. The role operates primarily within nursing facility settings at contracted facilities, with occasional administrative duties performed in an office or home office environment. Noise levels may vary from quiet to high, and employees interact frequently with co‑workers, residents, families, and healthcare professionals.

Working Conditions

• Remain stationary for more than 50% of the time during focused or administrative tasks.
• Walk and move frequently throughout the skilled nursing facility to access files, equipment, and patients.
• Use hands/fingers constantly for computer, laptop, tablet, and office productivity equipment.
• Occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects, including the human body.
• Perform stooping, bending, and other body movements while interacting with residents or entering/exiting vehicles.
• Communicate verbally with clarity, volume, and compassion; hearing at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Detect and interpret information displayed on computer screens or software required for job tasks.
• Adhere to infection control and safety protocols, including use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and maintaining a clean environment.

Benefits

• Competitive earnings ($22‑$25/hr DOE).
• Hands‑on and virtual training and supervision.
• Work‑life balance with flexible work schedule.
• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and more).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Avoid “no‑shows” when working in skilled nursing facilities.

Pay

$22‑$25 per hour, dependent on experience (DOE).

Schedule

Flexible work schedule with the ability to travel to assigned nursing facilities as required.