Peer Support Specialist

WELLSPACE HEALTH • Sacramento, CA

82d • $23 - $27 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in WellSpace Health's mission of providing compassionate support and guidance to individuals navigating mental health or substance use conditions. Drawing on their personal lived experience, the Peer Support Specialist offers peer-to-peer connection, modeling coping and recovery skills, and fostering self-advocacy and empowerment. The Peer Support Specialist empowers individuals to build recovery capital, connect with community resources, and achieve their wellness goals. In this role, the PSS also helps clients strengthen their natural support systems (friends, family, and community networks) and develop self-efficacy skills. The PSS serves as a role model of recovery, resilience, and hope, guiding people as they gain control over their lives and pursue their individual goals. This role requires in person and virtual peer support for the Peer Support program.

Requirements

• California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification or eligibility to obtain within 90 days of hire. (see details at https://www.capeercertification.org/certification/).
• Lived experience with mental health, criminal justice, and/or substance use disorder recovery.
• Strong understanding of recovery principles and evidence-based practices.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, empathy, and active listening abilities.
• Cultural competency and understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to develop trusting relationships and support individuals facing challenges.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
• An understanding of computer use, including Microsoft Office, electronic health records and virtual support platforms.
• Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
• Willingness to participate in professional development opportunities.
• Willingness to address and work to eliminate personal biases while providing culturally responsive support.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently.
• Must be willing to successfully complete the onboarding/credentialing process.

Nice To Haves

• If in recovery, we prefer you to have at least two years of sobriety.

Responsibilities

• Utilizing personal lived experience, provide peer support and help individuals navigate various systems, including mental health, medical treatment, addiction/recovery, criminal or juvenile justice, that may include professional visits in carceral settings (jail and/or prison) navigate various systems foster care, education, military service, and LGBTQ+ services.
• Meeting clients one-on-one, in person or virtual/telehealth, to offer support, resource navigation, and crisis intervention when needed.
• Build trusting relationships and engage clients in person or virtual/telehealth platforms while ensuring physical and emotional safety.
• Act as a partner and intermediary between peers and formal service providers by advocating recovery-oriented services, connecting clients to appropriate resources, and role-modeling effective problem-solving skills.
• Provide culturally responsive support using evidence-based practices such as Positive Youth Development, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Motivational Interviewing etc.
• Empower clients to advocate for themselves, set goals, and implement achievable steps toward recovery, independence, and wellness.
• Support clients in developing coping skills, healthy routines, and habits of mental health and wellness hygiene, hope, belonging and connection.
• Maintain communication with clients through designated HIPAA-compliant platforms, using them for scheduling, introductions, and preliminary engagement, as well as for follow-up and sending requested resources.
• Refer clients to community-based resources, support, and opportunities to strengthen natural networks of care.
• Document interactions, complete required paperwork, and comply with confidentiality standards and mandatory reporting requirements (including abuse/neglect reports to DHS).
• Complete visit notes, safety plans, care plans, and all other required documentation within (24) hours of each appointment, including timely updates to appointment status.
• Maintain responsibility for keeping Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification in good standing, ensuring it remains valid at all times.
• Maintain professionalism by being punctual, keeping availability updated, staying informed by reviewing organizational communications, and regularly staying in contact with supervisors and coworkers.
• Collaborate with supervisors, healthcare providers, and team members; attend meetings, supervision, and continuing education/training as required.
• Assist and support the Center/Department/Program to meet standards of High Reliability.
• Uphold organizational policies, promote equity and inclusion, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Attend staff meetings, co/supervisions, individual supervision, training, and other required meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• regionally competitive salary
• above-average health benefits at reduced costs
• paid life insurance & long-term disability insurance
• an additional voluntary retirement plan with organizational match
• no vesting schedule requirement
• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Flexible Spending Program
• Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
• Professional development hours offered annually

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed