Certified Peer Support Specialist/Trainee (Blythe)

County of Riverside•Blythe, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health’s Crisis Division is hiring Consumer Certified Peer Support Specialists and Trainees in Blythe. Peer Support Specialists draw on their own lived experience with behavioral health or substance recovery to support, encourage, and guide people receiving behavioral health services. They help people in crisis navigate services and community resources, develop coping strategies, and work toward personal goals. When appropriate, they share their recovery experiences to inspire hope, promote resilience, and strengthen engagement in treatment. They also bring the consumer perspective to clinical teams, advocate for individual needs, help people navigate the service system, complete required documentation, and participate in training and supervision. The Crisis Division provides rapid field response to emergency calls for people of all populations. The role includes supporting consumers, families, and caregivers through training, advocacy, self-help groups, community resources, and participation in meetings and hearings. Employees document activities in accordance with Medi-Cal billing practices and respond to crisis calls in the field, including at homes, schools, and hospitals. A California driver’s license may be required depending on the assignment. Trainees must obtain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification within two years of starting employment; certified specialists must hold valid certification before their start date and renew it every two years. The Blythe MCMT Integrated program has a 4/10 schedule, Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Mobile Response Program initially has a 4/10 schedule and is expected to transition to a 9/80 schedule. Holidays and overtime may be required based on department needs, and schedules may change based on operational needs. Hourly pay ranges are $20.2151–$27.7092 for Peer Support Specialist Trainees and $24.2363–$32.9854 for Certified Peer Support Specialists.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED equivalency, or high school proficiency certificate.
Depending on the assignment, current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services, or as a family member or caregiver of a current or former consumer.
Trainees must obtain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification within two years of the employee start date.
Certified Peer Support Specialists must have California State Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification before their employment start date and maintain recertification every two years.
A valid California driver’s license may be required, depending on the position and program assignment.
A Spanish bilingual examination may be required.
Knowledge of the needs and challenges faced by ethnically diverse consumers, families, and caregivers, and of agency services available to people with serious behavioral health needs.
For certified specialists, knowledge of self-help and consumer-oriented treatment models and effective communication with consumers, families, caregivers, communities, and behavioral health treatment teams.
Ability to learn or understand behavioral health system principles and work effectively within the system.
Ability to represent and advocate for the consumer perspective in the community and behavioral health system.
Ability to understand and communicate cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.
Ability to communicate how the behavioral health system works to consumers, parents, family members, and caregivers.
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with community agencies and organizations.
Ability to obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.
Ability to respond to field calls in any weather conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.

Responsibilities

Share meaningful lived experience of behavioral health and/or substance recovery and resiliency with people served.
Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families, and caregivers receiving behavioral health services.
Communicate, represent, and promote the perspectives of consumers, families, and caregivers within the behavioral health system.
Facilitate self-help groups for consumers, youth, family members, and caregivers.
Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings in the behavioral health system and community.
Develop activities, programs, and resources that support consumers, families, and caregivers in achieving their goals.
Support recognition and understanding of social and cultural factors in behavioral health services.
Build working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family, and caregiver empowerment.
Help prepare and support clients, families, and caregivers for progress consultation meetings and formal and informal hearings.
Help consumers and their support networks articulate their needs.
Attend to consumer, family, and caregiver satisfaction with received services and behavioral health services generally.
Assist and encourage consumers and their support networks to participate in support networks and activities.
Document activities as required, following appropriate Medi-Cal billing practices.
Respond to emergency crisis calls in the field, including at clients’ homes, schools, and hospitals.