Peer Specialist I (Part-time) - Presbyterian & Montefiore

UPMC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

UPMC is seeking a Peer Specialist I to join the Addiction Medicine team. This part-time role provides non-clinical peer support in inpatient and outpatient settings, frequently traveling between hospital buildings to empower patients in their recovery journey.

Drawing from lived experience, the Peer Specialist I serves as a recovery role model, helping navigate treatment, access supports, and collaborate with the care team to promote engagement and positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate empathetic listening and non-judgmental support.
• Strong verbal and written communication for patient and family interactions.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience as a guiding resource.

Responsibilities

• Feedback and communication with clients, families, and clinical staff to support recovery goals.
• Assist clients in recovery management, identifying barriers and strategies to recovery.
• Advocate for clients in meetings, voicing their goals and preferences to the team.
• Engage with the community, accompany clients to activities, and provide follow-up support.
• Monitor client progress and provide feedback to the care team.
• Utilize crisis support to develop actionable plans for safety and continuity of care.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of all required records.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Peer support

Job description

The Peer Specialist I is serving as a fully integrated member of the Addiction Medicine treatment team. This fast-paced and dynamic role requires a self-motivated individual who provides non-clinical peer support to patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, while frequently traveling between hospital buildings. Drawing from their own lived experience, Peer Specialists serve as recovery role models and educators, helping individuals identify and overcome barriers to treatment, navigate recovery supports, and achieve their personal recovery goals. They also promote recovery-oriented values and principles while collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to enhance patient engagement and support successful treatment outcomes.

This part-time position based at UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore Hospitals.

Responsibilities

Feedback and Communication

• Provide feedback to clients, families, and clinical staff.

Recovery Management

• Assist clients in recovery management, including goal setting, identifying barriers, and strategies.
• Help clients find and use community supports and resources.

Advocacy

• Advocate for clients in meetings, voicing their viewpoints and goals.

Community Engagement

• Accompany clients to community activities and provide follow-up services.
• Facilitate recovery and wellness groups; offer individual support.

Progress Monitoring

• Monitor progress and provide feedback.

Crisis Support

• Use crisis support to develop and implement action plans.

Documentation

• Maintain required paperwork and documentation promptly.