Peer Support Specialist

Friend Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays

Professional Development Opportunities

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Friend Health in Chicago seeks a Peer Support Specialist to provide mobile, community-based outreach and non-clinical peer support through HRDI's Crisis Program 591, using recovery-oriented principles and lived experience. The role engages individuals in behavioral health crises, supports continuity of care, and aims to reduce avoidable emergency service utilization.

You will conduct outreach, connect individuals to behavioral health, substance use, medical and community services, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field preferred.
• One year of experience in community outreach, peer support or related human services preferred.
• CRSS certification preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain CRSS certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mobile outreach and follow-up engagement.
• Engage high emergency department utilizers and post-overdose individuals.
• Complete non-clinical Outreach Triage Assessments and required documentation.
• Follow referrals through final disposition and document outreach attempts.
• Build rapport and encourage participation in behavioral health and recovery services.
• Assist individuals with accessing treatment, benefits, housing, and community resources.
• Accompany individuals to appointments and coordinate transportation.
• Maintain relationships with hospitals, first responders, and community partners.
• Participate in Program 591 meetings, trainings, and quality-improvement activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization

Documentation

Time management

Independent work

Collaboration

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field preferred

Certified Recovery Specialist (CRSS) eligible within 1 year

Job description

The Peer Support Specialist provides mobile, community-based outreach and non-clinical peer support through HRDI's Crisis Program 591. Using recovery-oriented principles and lived experience, when applicable, this position engages individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, recovering from an overdose, frequently utilizing emergency services, or at risk of becoming disconnected from care.

The Peer Support Specialist conducts follow-up outreach, builds trusting relationships, addresses barriers to treatment, and helps individuals connect or reconnect with behavioral health, substance use, medical, and community-based services. Working closely with crisis staff, emergency departments, treatment providers, and community partners, this role promotes continuity of care, supports recovery, and helps reduce avoidable emergency service utilization.

JOB DUTIES

• Conduct mobile outreach, community canvassing, and follow-up engagement.
• Engage high emergency department utilizers, post-overdose individuals, and people disconnected from care.
• Complete non-clinical Outreach Triage Assessments and required documentation.
• Follow referrals through final disposition and document all outreach attempts.
• Build rapport and encourage participation in behavioral health and recovery services.
• Assist individuals with accessing treatment, benefits, housing, and other community resources.
• Accompany individuals to appointments and provide practical, recovery-oriented support.
• Coordinate transportation to intake, assessment, and treatment appointments.
• Facilitate warm handoffs to internal programs and community providers.
• Maintain relationships with hospitals, first responders, referral sources, and community partners.
• Participate in Program 591 meetings, training, supervision, and quality-improvement activities.
• Follow crisis-program safety procedures while working in community settings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE

• 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• One (1) year of experience providing community outreach, peer support, behavioral health, substance use, crisis intervention, case management, or related human services preferred.
• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) preferred.
• Must be eligible to obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification within one year of hire.
• Knowledge of community resources and organizations serving individuals with behavioral health and substance use needs.
• Ability to engage individuals experiencing crisis, instability, or reluctance to participate in services.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced community settings.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to use electronic documentation systems.
• Must possess a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance.
• Must be eligible to obtain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification within one year of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Mobile, community-based position requiring frequent travel throughout assigned service areas.
• Work may occur in participants’ homes, hospitals, shelters, community settings, and other field locations.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, and occasionally lifting or carrying approximately 25–50 pounds.
• May encounter individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use, homelessness, or other unstable situations and must follow established safety protocols while conducting community outreach. Must follow all organizational safety, infection-control, and crisis-response procedures.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hourly Rate: $19.23

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Holidays
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Occupational Risk for Exposure to TB:

There is an occupational risk for exposure to TB, as this position involves extensive community and patient contact. Employees in this role are required to comply with annual TB testing as part of workplace health and safety protocols. The only acceptable exceptions to this requirement are documented medical contraindications or religious objections. Employees who decline TB testing will be required to wear a mask when deemed necessary.

Friend Health – HRDI is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Friend Health – HRDI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process). Friend Health - HRDI supports the Pay Transparency Law as an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.