Peer Support Specialist

UnityPoint Health; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbe Center for Community Mental Health seeks an as needed Peer Support Specialist to help individuals in recovery from mental illness. Peers use lived experience and state approved training to support others and inform non-peer team members of this unique perspective.

The role emphasizes empathy, hope and mutual recovery in community-based settings and requires completion of a 40-hour Peer Recovery training within six months and an Iowa driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Must be in recovery from mental illness and willing to talk about that experience with clients, family, team members, etc. as a method to promote resiliency and recovery.
• Completion of 40-hour Peer Support training or ability to complete within first 6 months of hire.
• Iowa Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Is aware of department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs regarding fraud, waste and abuse.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the organization’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personal and professional activity.
• Demonstrates a positive cooperative attitude, flexibility, and a willingness to change to meet department goals.
• Responsible for being well-organized and energetic with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Welcomes people into service and encouraging them during times of stress and struggle.
• Develops personalized health goals, discovering effective coping skills, accessing community resources, and coordinating care.
• Documents interactions and other required reports in an electronic health record.
• Communicates to other team members and supervisors with positive attitude.
• Creative problem solving to meet people where they are at.
• Performs additional duties as may be assigned to ensure complete service to all customers.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

40-hour Peer Support training

Job description

• Area of Interest: Behavioral Health Services
• Shift: Monday-Friday, days
• Job ID: 186334

• Area of Interest: Behavioral Health Services
• FTE/Hours per pay period: 1.0
• Department: Outpatient Services
• Shift: Monday-Friday, days
• Job ID: 186334

Overview

Are you in recovery from a mental illness? Are you passionate about helping others? The Abbe Center for Community Mental Health is seeking an as needed Peer Support Specialist. Peer Support Specialists use their experiences in recovery from mental illness plus state approved training to help people with their own recovery journey and inform non-peer team members of this unique perspective.

The peer support specialist is responsible to support and enhance the lives of those diagnosed with Mental Illness by providing empathy, hope and support for peers on a mutual journey of recovery. More common in the community-based setting. Typically has lived through an experience, and one could become a certified peer support specialist. Requires certification within six months as a Peer Recovery Specialist.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Is aware of department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (eg. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of department or administrative staff.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the organization’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personal and professional activity.
• Demonstrates a positive cooperative attitude, flexibility, and a willingness to change to meet department goals.
• Responsible for being well-organized and energetic with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Welcomes people into service and encouraging them during times of stress and struggle.
• Develops personalized health goals, discovering effective coping skills, accessing community resources, and coordinating care.
• Effectively using technology such as computers, cell phones, and software.
• Documents interactions and other required reports in an electronic health record.
• Communicates to other team members and supervisors with positive attitude.
• Creative problem solving to “meet people where they are at”.
• Performs additional duties as may be assigned to ensure complete service to all customers.

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Qualifications/Experience

• Must be in recovery from mental illness and be willing to talk about that experience with clients, family, team members, etc. as a method to promote resiliency and recovery. Completion of 40-hour Peer Support training or ability to complete within first 6 months of hire. Iowa Driver’s License Required.