Peer Recovery Supporter (CORE Guide)

firsthand Health; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 22,730 - 32,373; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with a match

Vacation days

Parental leave

Inclusive work culture

Job summary

firsthand Health in Akron, Ohio, is seeking a Peer Recovery Specialist to support individuals living with serious mental illness. This role emphasizes outreach and engagement, ensuring individuals receive necessary health services while empowering them toward their personal recovery goals.

The ideal candidate will have lived experience and a state peer recovery certification or the willingness to obtain one. The position offers a supportive culture with competitive benefits, including health care and vacation time.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Two years of recovery time from a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder.
• Valid driver's license in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to individuals with serious mental illness.
• Support scheduling of appointments and ensuring clinical visit attendance.
• Build trust and identify personal recovery goals.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Compassion

Recovery knowledge

Education

State Peer Recovery certification

Community Health Worker Credential

Tools

Email

Messaging services

Mobile apps

Job description

firsthand supports individuals living with serious mental illness (SMI). Our holistic approach includes a team of peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists and clinicians. Our teams focus on meeting each individual where they are and walking with them side by side as a trusted guide and partner on their journey to better health.

firsthand’s team members use their lived experience to build trust with these individuals and support them in reconnecting to the healthcare they need, while minimizing inappropriate healthcare utilization. Together with our health plan partners, we are changing the way our society supports those most impacted by SMI.

We are cultivating a team of deeply passionate problem-solvers to tackle significant and complex healthcare challenges with us. This is more than a job—it is a calling. Every day, you will engage in work that resonates with purpose, gain wisdom from motivated colleagues, and thrive in an environment that celebrates continuous learning, creativity, and fun.

We named our company firsthand because we believe that lived experience is invaluable for gaining trust and building meaningful relationships. While we list this role externally as Peer Recovery Specialist, internally we refer to this important role as firsthand Guide (fG) or Core Guide. In our peer‑led model, fGs play a critical role in outreach and engagement, supporting individuals living with SMI to achieve and maintain both behavioral and physical wellness.

The Core Guide partners closely with other members of the firsthand Care Team to drive whole‑health wellness, working closely with clinicians and support team members to ensure individuals receive the support they need. fGs serve as the point of contact for individuals, helping them schedule appointments, advocate for their needs, and set and achieve goals.

As a Core Guide, you will:

• 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, taking vitals, 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, 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.
• Adapt to evolving responsibilities as the organization grows.

Core Guides should have:

• 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.

Required experience you bring to this role includes:

Lived experience with SMI and/or SUD

• State Peer Recovery certification, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing, with the ability to operate a vehicle (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 (2) years of demonstrated recovery time from a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder at the time of application.
• Completion of a paid training period prior to serving individuals and passing assessments to move forward.
• Ability to work Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• 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 (e.g., mental health and drug courts).
• Eagerness to expand knowledge about a broad range of health conditions.
• Interest in gaining a Community Health Worker (CHW) Credential after hire, or already holds one.

Hourly Pay Rate

$20 – $20 USD

Benefits

For full‑time employees, our compensation package includes base pay, equity (or a special incentive program for clinical roles), and performance bonus potential. Benefits include physical and mental health, dental, vision, 401(k) with a match, 16 weeks parental leave for either parent, 15 days/year vacation in the first year (increasing to 20 days/year in the second year and beyond), and a supportive and inclusive culture.

Employment with firsthand is contingent upon attesting to medical clearance requirements, including evidence of vaccination for or immunity to COVID‑19, Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Chickenpox, Tetanus, and Diphtheria. All employees are required to receive these vaccinations according to CDC guidance. New hires may request exemptions for valid religious or medical reasons; such requests are reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis and are not guaranteed.

We do not offer sponsorship at this time.

Firsthand Health does not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. We comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity policy and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) requirements.