Peer Recovery Specialist: Group Support & Care

Universal Health Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and

401(K) with company match

Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan

Job summary

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, part of Universal Health Services, seeks a compassionate Peer Recovery Specialist to support patients in substance use treatment. You will identify needs, deliver recovery-oriented brief interventions, and link patients to community programs while coordinating with a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include group sessions, post-discharge outreach, and maintaining accurate EMR records to promote engagement and long-term wellness.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Entry-level related experience (0-1 year).
• CPR/BLS Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
• Current state or national certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist, or the ability to obtain certification within six months of employment.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and available community treatment resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively, establish rapport with patients, and navigate challenging situations using verbal de-escalation techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, data entry, and accurate documentation.

Responsibilities

• Build supportive relationships with patients in substance use treatment and identify recovery goals.
• Provide individualized recovery support and brief interventions.
• Facilitate recovery-focused group sessions and document in EMR.
• Educate patients about community recovery programs and resources.
• Collaborate with nurses, counselors, therapists, and agencies for referrals and aftercare planning.
• Conduct post-discharge outreach for high-risk patients to encourage ongoing care.
• Communicate patient information to the multidisciplinary team with professionalism and confidentiality.

Skills

Effective communication

De-escalation techniques

Rapport building

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Emergency response awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

CPR/BLS Certification

Peer Recovery Specialist certification

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, part of Universal Health Services, seeks a compassionate Peer Recovery Specialist to support patients in substance use treatment. You will identify needs, deliver recovery-oriented brief interventions, and link patients to community programs while coordinating with a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities include group sessions, post-discharge outreach, and maintaining accurate EMR records to promote engagement and long-term wellness.