Peer Specialist Trainee - Outreach(NE)

Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Lakes Mental Health seeks a Peer Specialist Trainee to learn and practice peer-informed approaches to recovery, symptom management, and fostering a respectful, empathetic care team environment. This role centers on applying lived experience to support patients with severe mental illnesses and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

The position emphasizes collaboration with clinical teams, community-based work, and mentorship to empower patients on their recovery journeys.

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred or two years paid or volunteer work with individuals with severe mental illness.
• Ability to obtain Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee certification within one year of hire.
• Washington State ACCR credential must be applied for within 30 days of hire; can be pending up to 120 days.
• Experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness.
• Driving is an essential function; valid driver’s license, insurance and acceptable driving record required.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in recovery-support services such as developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, housing, education and employment.
• Provide peer counseling and support using lived experience to validate patients’ perspectives and encourage participation in care.
• Serve as a mentor to promote hope and empowerment.
• Offer consultation from a consumer perspective to the treatment team regarding symptoms and recovery experiences.
• Support direct clinical services in office and community settings to teach symptom/behavior-management and coping skills.
• Encourage participation in consumer self-help programs and advocacy groups.

Skills

Peer counseling

Lived experience

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Job description

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: Day_

Position Summary

As a Peer Specialist Trainee, you will learn and practice 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, while promoting a team culture of respect, empathy, and understanding.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients in services that support recovery, such as developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, stable housing, education, and employment.
• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on lived experience to validate patients’ perspectives and to encourage active participation in healthcare and wellness.
• Serve as a mentor to patients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Offer consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the treatment team regarding symptoms, responses to treatment, and experiences of recovery.
• Support direct clinical services (individual, group, and family) in both office and community settings to help teach symptom/behavior-management, coping strategies, and skill development.
• Encourage participation in consumer self-help programs and 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 illnesses.
• Ability to obtain Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee certification within one (1) year of hire but no later than 12/31/2026.
• 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 , if a higher credential is not held.
• Experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental 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 $23.20 - $33.38 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.

Associated benefit information can be viewed here.