Peer Support Specialist Bilingual (Arabic, CORE Guide)

firsthand Health • Detroit, MI

25d

About The Position

firsthand supports individuals living with serious mental illness (SMI) through a holistic, peer-led approach involving peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists, and clinicians. Team members draw on lived experience to build trust, reconnect individuals with needed healthcare, and help reduce inappropriate healthcare utilization. The company describes this externally listed Peer Recovery Specialist role internally as a firsthand Guide (fG), or Core Guide.

Core Guides conduct outreach and engagement with individuals living with SMI and help them pursue behavioral and physical wellness. They partner with clinicians and other Care Team members, serve as a primary point of contact, and help individuals access services, schedule and attend appointments, advocate for their needs, and set and achieve recovery goals. The role includes community-based work and ongoing telephonic outreach, documentation, case reviews, and collaboration. The position's responsibilities may evolve as firsthand grows.

Team members complete paid training before serving individuals and must pass assessments to advance. Employment is contingent on attesting to medical clearance requirements that may include specified vaccinations or immunity. Sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Lived experience with SMI and/or SUD.
• State Peer Recovery certification, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within six months of employment.
• Valid driver's license in good standing, ability to operate a vehicle (a company vehicle may be provided), and eligibility to drive under the company's insurance policy.
• Demonstrated proficiency with technical tools such as email, messaging services, and apps.
• Two years of demonstrated recovery time from a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder at the date of application.
• Empathy, compassion, and approachability.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Personal knowledge of recovery.
• Patience, persistence, and a desire to help individuals experiencing SMI and/or SUD on their wellness journey.
• Comfort working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Basic proficiency with smartphone and computer technology.
• Openness to receiving feedback and a commitment to professional growth.
• Complete paid training and pass assessments before serving individuals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with direct in-person outreach and engagement for individuals with SMI and SUD.
• Expertise in recovery education and coaching.
• Understanding of whole health and trauma-informed approaches to peer support.
• Familiarity with local community resources, behavioral health systems, and the criminal justice system, such as mental health and drug courts.
• Eagerness to expand knowledge about a broad range of health conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach to individuals with SMI in homes, community locations, and care settings such as shelters, hospitals, and emergency departments.
• Support individuals' health needs by scheduling appointments, ensuring clinical visits are attended and completed, and assisting with telehealth access.
• Build trust and relationships by addressing immediate needs and empowering individuals to identify and pursue personal recovery goals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, using advanced engagement techniques to facilitate ongoing connection and engagement in supportive services.
• Help address social determinants of health by facilitating access to benefits, resources, and transportation.
• Assist with care coordination, advocate for individual goals, accompany individuals to appointments, and address post-discharge needs.
• Provide timely and thorough documentation of encounters and participate in case reviews and team collaboration.
• Perform initial and ongoing telephonic outreach.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development.

Benefits

• Base salary, equity, and performance bonus potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental wellness coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave for both parents.
• 120 hours of vacation accrued annually in the first year, increasing to 160 hours annually after one year.
• Paid training period.

What This Job Offers

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