Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) – Tribal Care Engagement Specialist

Hope and Healing Clinic•Tumwater, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Hope & Healing offers a comprehensive total compensation package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); vacation, sick, paid holiday, jury duty, and bereavement leave; and a 401(k)-retirement plan. The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) serves a dual role within Hope and Healing Clinic. The primary responsibility is to engage members enrolled in the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) and successfully acclimate them into the Tribal Care Mental Health Program. This role acts as the initial connection between OTP services and Tribal Care, aiming to create a welcoming, supportive, and recovery-oriented experience that promotes member participation and long-term engagement. This position is crucial for growing the Tribal Care Mental Health Program by educating members on available services, reducing enrollment barriers, assisting with onboarding, and providing a seamless "warm handoff" from OTP providers to Tribal Care clinicians. The CPSS collaborates with OTP and Tribal Care teams to ensure members feel supported, informed, and connected throughout the transition process. Once members are established in the Tribal Care Mental Health Program, the CPSS continues to provide peer support services throughout their recovery journey, utilizing lived experience and recovery principles to offer non-clinical, person-centered support consistent with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, emphasizing mutuality, empowerment, hope, and recovery-oriented systems of care.

Requirements

Current Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Certification in good standing.
Self-identify as an individual with lived experience in mental health and/or substance use recovery or as a family member with lived experience, consistent with Washington State CPSS eligibility requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to recovery-oriented principles including hope, self-determination, empowerment, mutuality, and peer support.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to establish trusting, recovery-oriented relationships with diverse populations.
Ability to advocate for members while maintaining professional peer support boundaries.
Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Basic computer proficiency and ability to utilize electronic health records and member communication platforms.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with all applicable federal, state, Tribal, and organizational privacy standards.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).
Experience engaging members in behavioral health or substance use treatment.
Experience working in outpatient clinics, outreach, tribal health, housing, or community settings.
Familiarity with KIPU or other electronic health record systems.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles.
Minimum of 1,000 hours working as a Certified Peer Support Specialist.
Experience serving Native American and Tribal communities.

Responsibilities

Proactively engage OTP members to introduce and educate them on Tribal Care Mental Health services.
Build trusting relationships that encourage participation in behavioral health treatment.
Provide a welcoming and supportive onboarding experience for members entering the Tribal Care Mental Health Program.
Facilitate a seamless warm handoff from OTP clinicians, counselors, and peer support specialists to Tribal Care clinicians.
Assist members in navigating the onboarding process by supporting access to email, the KIPU Portal, electronic communications, and required program documentation as part of care coordination.
Identify and reduce barriers to accessing behavioral health services.
Maintain regular communication with members prior to their first appointment to promote successful attendance.
Collaborate with OTP, Tribal Care clinicians, Member Service Representatives, and leadership to improve member engagement and retention.
Participate in outreach initiatives designed to increase Tribal Care Mental Health Program engagement.
Track member engagement activities and communicate progress with the interdisciplinary team.
Build recovery-oriented relationships founded on mutual respect, trust, hope, and shared lived experience.
Support members in identifying personal goals for recovery and overall wellness.
Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and non-judgmental peer support.
Facilitate or co-facilitate recovery groups, orientation sessions, educational activities, and peer engagement opportunities.
Provide harm reduction education, community resources, and referrals.
Encourage self-advocacy, self-determination, and personal empowerment.
Advocate for members internally and externally to improve access to resources and services.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment teams while representing the voice of lived experience.
Maintain professional peer boundaries and adhere to the Washington State DOH Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Counselors.
Complete documentation accurately, ethically, and within required timeframes.