Certified Peer Specialist

WellSpan Health; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 24,797,000 - 33,062,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Education assistance

DailyPay

Expanded Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

WellSpan Health is seeking a part-time Peer Support Specialist at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital to contribute to recovery and wellness. The role includes assisting peers with social support, advocacy, and skill-building, while documenting activities and collaborating with the care team.

This position requires a Certified Peer Specialist, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license. On-site hours include days, with every-other weekend requirements and consistent engagement in

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience navigating the mental health system is required.
• Certified Peer Specialist required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and encouragement to patients to participate in their own recovery.
• Assist peers with rehabilitation social support, advocacy, education, and mentoring.
• Offer side-by-side support to help patients socialize and engage in activities during program hours.
• Encourage participation in community self-help groups and WRAP/PAD planning.
• Document peer encounters and service activity within 48 hours; maintain accurate records.
• Collaborate with teams and community partners to support recovery goals.

Skills

Peer support

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Peer Specialist

Tools

Driver's License

Job description

General Summary

Contributes in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness by sharing his/her personal/practical experience and first‑hand knowledge to the team and clients. Provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients to have a satisfying life. Serves as a role model for recovery for both staff and peers and partners with peers in developing recovery tools and building support networks.

Job Description

Part‑time, Days

7a‑3p or 8a‑4p

Every Other Weekend Requirement

48 hrs/2 weeks

General Summary

Contributes in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness by sharing his/her personal/practical experience and first‑hand knowledge to the team and clients. Provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients to have a satisfying life. Serves as a role model for recovery for both staff and peers and partners with peers in developing recovery tools and building support networks.

Responsibilities

• Draws on common experiences as a peer to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Assists designated peers with rehabilitation social support, advocacy, educational and vocational mentoring, and self‑maintenance.
• Provides side‑by‑side support and coaching to help patients socialize, such as going with a patient to the grocery store, movies, library, etc. during program hours of operation which may require use of staff’s personal vehicle.
• Supports patient participation in community self‑help groups.
• Coaches or teaches basic individual living skills, such as food preparation, meal planning, laundry, bill payment and personal hygiene.
• Provides education about symptoms of mental illness to assist patients in understanding their mental illness and identifying relapse symptoms.
• Works with patients in supporting their individual choice and preference regarding medications, under the direction of the physician and nursing staff.
• Promotes participation in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD) planning among peers.
• Partners with peers to create, review and attain goals on the Individual Recovery Plan.
• Completes necessary documentation for each peer encounter (i.e. service activity, contact sheets, etc.) within 48 hours of encounter.
• Completes monthly log of services provided.
• Acquires knowledge or resources in assigned county/counites while maintaining an excellent working relationship with all providers.
• Acts as a liaison with other community agencies/groups, funding sources and businesses that relate to the services provided to peers.
• Participates in the on‑call system according to WellSpan Philhaven ACT policy.

Common Expectations

• Attends all meetings with supervisor, staff, and clients as well as trainings and in‑services.
• Reinforces hope and the potential for recovery to peers and others.
• Encourages and provides support for peers to advocate for themselves.
• Models coping techniques and self‑help strategies.
• Completes yearly annual safety education modules in compliance with WellSpan Philhaven policy.
• Performs and participates in outcome measurement, performance improvement and customer satisfaction studies designed to measure and improve the quality of services delivered.
• Contributes to a safe work environment through knowledge and practice of safe behavioral management practices, fire safety, physical plant safety, safe emergency practices, and universal precautions for bodily fluids
• Provides after hours telephone support to enrolled peers as assigned (Pager rotated among staff on a monthly basis).
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience

• Experience in navigating/personal knowledge and experience in the mental health system. Required
• 1 year General work/volunteer/credit hour experience. Preferred and
• Professional office work experience. Preferred

Licenses

• Certified Peer Specialist Upon Hire Required

Driver's License Statement

Must possess a valid driver's license in the current state of residence. Driving record must meet requirements established by WellSpan Risk Management.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Excellent human relations and oral/written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and ability in the care and support of individuals in a specific age group.

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

About Us

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value‑based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award‑winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high‑performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.

About The Team

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

One of eight premier hospitals in the WellSpan system, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital offers a full range of leading‑edge inpatient, outpatient and emergent care services. The hospital is noted for its distinct ability to combine state‑of‑the‑art medical technology with quality, compassionate care to meet the needs of the more than 550,000 residents of northern Lancaster County and the surrounding area. As a full‑service, non‑profit acute‑care hospital, with a 141 licensed bed capacity, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital admits approximately 5,500 patients annually. Nearby WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center supports the hospital as part of WellSpan’s regional network of five cancer centers. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital was one of several WellSpan Health hospitals honored by U.S. News & World Report with the High Performing recognition for 2022-23.