Peer Specialist

MultiCare Health System•Lakewood, WA

22h•$25 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist is a key multidisciplinary team position at MultiCare. Providing peer viewpoints about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients with severe and persistent mental illnesses to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you will collaborate to promote a team culture of respect, empathy and understanding. Greater Lakes Mental Health is part of MultiCare’s Behavioral Health Network, serving more than 10,000 individuals across Pierce County each year. Providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment for adults, children and families with Medicaid coverage, Greater Lakes operates six convenient locations, including a 16-bed inpatient facility for voluntary and involuntary care. With experienced teams and robust training, caregivers help deliver recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care.

Requirements

Two years paid or volunteer work experience with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses
Successful completion of assigned training
Active Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) at time of hire for employees hired after November 1, 2025
Obtain Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification within one (1) year of hire but no later than 12/31/2026 for current employees
Hold the CPSST credential while working towards obtaining their CPSS but no later than 6/30/2027 for employees hired before November 1, 2025
Apply for AACR within 30-days of hire and receive credential within four (4) months of placement in the position, if a higher credential is not held
BLS Certification and First Aid card due within 30 days of hire
Experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental health illness

Nice To Haves

High school diploma preferred

Responsibilities

Assist clients in a wide range of services to regain control and success in their own lives, such as developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, stable housing, education, and employment.
Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate patients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own healthcare and wellness.
Serve as a mentor to patients to promote hope and empowerment.
Provide consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning patients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, responses to and opinions of treatment, and experiences of recovery.
Assist in the provision of direct clinical services to patients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings to teach symptom/behavior-management techniques, support skill-building, and to strengthen skills to cope with internal and external stresses.
Encourage consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.