Peer Support Specialist

Mlk-Community-Healthcare-1; California; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

MLK Community Healthcare is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide peer-based support on the EMPATH unit in Los Angeles, CA. The role involves advocacy, guiding patients and families, and coordinating referrals within behavioral health services.

You will promote patient engagement, help navigate care, and maintain confidentiality per HIPAA. Requires 1 year of experience and a High School diploma or GED with BLS certification.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of peer support in behavioral health.
• Current BLS certification.
• Basic computer skills and EMR experience.
• Willingness to adhere to HIPAA and hospital policies.

Responsibilities

• Provides peer‑to‑peer support on the EMPATH unit, offering encouragement, guidance, advocacy and referrals.
• Helps patients engage in services and overcome barriers to treatment.
• Provides resources and referrals for basic needs (food, housing, transportation, etc.).
• Assists patients with setting and implementing wellness and recovery goals.
• Maintains accurate documentation for billing and records and ensures confidentiality per HIPAA.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Active listening

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

BLS Certification

Tools

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Job description

The Peer Support Specialist utilizes lived experience to build rapport and provide support, guidance, and advocacy to patients and their families; assists patients with accessing and navigating behavioral health care services, recourse, and systems of care; encourages full patient engagement in services to promote wellness and recovery; and performs related duties as assigned. Reporting to the Clinical Unit Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist has accountability for the responsibilities listed below. This position requires full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate consistent behavior with the Core Values. The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement process activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides peer to peer support services on the EMPATH unit but not limited to support, encouragement, guidance, advocacy, and referrals to external resources and services for patients and their families; builds rapport with patients and their families through sharing stories of lived experience and recovery.
• Encourages and supports patents to fully engage in services; assists patients in addressing and overcoming barriers to treatment.
• Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.
• Assists patients with setting and implementing wellness and recovery goals; models and shares effective coping strategies.
• Assists patients and families to understand behavioral health problems and steps to recovery.
• Provides advice and guidance to patients and staff related to area of expertise, based on loved experience.
• Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, addresses patients’ concerns, barriers, progress, and other relevant information to enhance treatment services; assists and supports patients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with treatment team.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to patient carte; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.
• Maintains patient confidentiality in compliance with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA regulations.
• Observes and complies with all Authority and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Role models the hospital’s patient satisfaction efforts when interacting with patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Participates in unit-based initiatives that promote patient safety and support customer service goals.
• Aware of Watson Model of Care including key elements of Caring, Competence, Communication and Commitment.
• Upholds’ professional appearance and demonstrates such through adherence to dress code: wears ID badge and promotes the standard of proper identification for peers and staff.
• Any other duties assigned by the Clinical Unit Supervisor or Nurse Director

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

A. Education

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalency.

B. Qualifications/Experience

• One year experience providing peer support services to patient in a behavioral health setting.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)

C. Special Skills/Knowledge

• Basic computer skills
• Must complete the annual Workplace Violence Prevention Program/Certificate, per hospital policy, during initial training/orientation but not to exceed 30 days from hire/transfer.
• Experience with an Electronic Medical Record preferred.

Equal Rights Employer

Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, military service, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. This application is intended for use in evaluating your application for employment.

MLK Community Healthcare

1680 E 120th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.mlkch.org

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