Peer Specialist

MultiCare Health System, Inc.; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

MultiCare Health System is seeking an Outreach Peer Specialist to work in the community, supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. The role emphasizes peer counseling, mentorship, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to promote recovery and wellness.

Responsibilities include facilitating self-advocacy, housing support, education, and employment pathways, while promoting hope and engagement in care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred or two years paid/volunteer work with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• CPSS certification required for hires after Nov 1, 2025; current employees must obtain CPSS by 12/31/2026.
• WA Counselor Agency Affiliated Registered (ACCR) credential must be applied for within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, housing, education and employment.
• Provide peer counseling and support, using shared experiences to validate and encourage patient participation in care.
• Serve as mentor to promote hope, empowerment and recovery perspectives for patients.
• Provide mental health perspective to team on patient experiences and treatment responses.
• Assist in direct clinical services in office and community settings to teach skills for coping with stress.

Skills

Peer counseling

Empathy

Communication

Self-advocacy coaching

Education

High school diploma

CPSS certification

WA ACCR credential (application)

Job description

## Peer SpecialistApplylocations: Lakewood, Washingtontime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: JR81496**Join a team that shares your calling** At MultiCare, you’re more than just a job title — you’re part of a team built on trust that cares for each other, our patients and our communities. Belonging here means living our mission and values every day. If your purpose and passions align with ours, you’ll find a place to grow, do meaningful work and build a career you love in a community that feels like home. **FTE:** 1.0, **Shift:** Day, **Schedule:** Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pmThis is an Outreach Peer Specialist role, and the work is conducted in the community with a team.**Position Summary**The Peer Specialist is a key multidisciplinary team position at MultiCare. Providing peer viewpoints about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients with severe and persistent mental illnesses to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you will collaborate to promote a team culture of respect, empathy and understanding.**Responsibilities:*** You will assist clients in a wide range of services to regain control and success in their own lives, such as developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, stable housing, education, and employment.* You will provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate patients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own healthcare and wellness.* You will serve as a mentor to patients to promote hope and empowerment.* You will provide consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning patients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, responses to and opinions of treatment, and experiences of recovery.* You will assist in the provision of direct clinical services to patients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings to teach symptom/behavior-management techniques, support skill-building, and to strengthen skills to cope with internal and external stresses.* You will encourage consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.**Requirements:*** High school diploma preferred OR two years paid or volunteer work experience with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnessesSuccessful completion of assigned training* Employees hired after November 1, 2025 must have an active Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) at time of hire.* Current employees must obtain Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification within one (1) year of hire but no later than 12/31/2026.* Employees hired before November 1, 2025 may hold the CPSST credential while working towards obtaining their CPSS but no later than 6/30/2027* Washington State **Counselor Agency Affiliated Registered (ACCR)** credential must be applied for within thirty (30) days of hire. Employees may work while the application is pending for up to one hundred twenty (120) days* BLS Certification and First Aid card due within 30 days of hire* Experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental health illness* Driving is an essential function of this position. The incumbent will routinely travel between clinic, community, patient, and business locations in the performance of assigned duties and may be required to operate a personal vehicle and/or agency-owned vehicle. A valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record in compliance with agency vehicle-use requirements are required**About Greater Lakes Mental Health** Greater Lakes Mental Health is part of MultiCare’s Behavioral Health Network, serving more than 10,000 individuals across Pierce County each year. Providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment for adults, children and families with Medicaid coverage, Greater Lakes operates six convenient locations, including a 16-bed inpatient facility for voluntary and involuntary care. With experienced teams and robust training, caregivers help deliver recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care. **Why MultiCare?** **Rooted in the local community** Partnering with patients, families and neighbors across the Pacific Northwest for more than 140 years. **Growth and education** Competitive tuition assistance, award-winning residencies, fellowships and career development to invest in you. **Well-being and support** Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared in your work and life. **Living our values** Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other. **Belonging for all** Resource Groups and outreach programs help ensure every team member feels safe, seen, heard and valued. **Pacific Northwest lifestyle** Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life. **Pay and Benefit Expectations**We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $24.83 - $35.71 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align.