Peer Support Specialist

Renown Health; Sparks (NV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Renown Health seeks a Peer Support Specialist to blend peer support with clinical assistance in a behavioral health setting. You will provide recovery-focused support, assist with intake and documentation, and collaborate with care teams to promote patient well-being.

The role emphasizes empathy, safety, and empowerment, leveraging lived experience to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. On-site work in a collaborative team is expected.

Qualifications

• Prior behavioral health or healthcare experience required.
• Proficient computer skills; EPIC experience preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Nevada PRSS Certification within one year of hire.
• Ability to obtain RENOWN AVADE crisis prevention certification within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain BLS certification within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform accurate registration, insurance verification, and demographic data collection.
• Provide one-on-one and group peer support sessions for individuals in recovery.
• Monitor the facility and conduct routine rounds to monitor patients.
• Promote recovery, autonomy, and self-advocacy using lived experience.
• Assist with crisis prevention, de-escalation, and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and Joint Commission standards.
• Collaborate with clinicians to develop comprehensive care plans.

Skills

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Communication under stress

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Purpose

Peer Support Specialist plays a blended role, peer support specialist and mental health tech. Providing administrative support and direct client care in behavioral health settings. Responsibilities include delivering peer support services grounded in lived experience, offering emotional support, empowerment, and guidance to individuals facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. Utilizing lived experience and a recovery journey this employee offers empathy, encouragement emotional support, and practical guidance to empower individuals facing a behavioral health and/or substance use challenges. This position operates within collaborative team environment working closely with behavioral health professionals and community resources. Utilizing lived experience and a recovery journey this employee offers empathy, encouragement, support and practical assistance to empower individuals on a path to recovery. This position operates within collaborative team environment working closely with behavioral health professional, and community resources.

Position Purpose

Peer Support Specialist plays a blended role, peer support specialist and mental health tech. Providing administrative support and direct client care in behavioral health settings. Responsibilities include delivering peer support services grounded in lived experience, offering emotional support, empowerment, and guidance to individuals facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. Utilizing lived experience and a recovery journey this employee offers empathy, encouragement emotional support, and practical guidance to empower individuals facing a behavioral health and/or substance use challenges. This position operates within collaborative team environment working closely with behavioral health professionals and community resources. Utilizing lived experience and a recovery journey this employee offers empathy, encouragement, support and practical assistance to empower individuals on a path to recovery. This position operates within collaborative team environment working closely with behavioral health professional, and community resources. In addition to duties listed above, this role includes performing all patient registration and reception functions with accuracy and professionalism. Duties involve collecting and verifying demographic, insurance, and financial information; confirming eligibility and benefits; obtaining required pre-authorizations or notifications from payers; and accurately documenting all information into the electronic health record. The MHT/Peer ensures that all intake paperwork and consent forms are completed and signed in accordance with regulatory and organizational policies. By facilitating timely, respectful, and thorough registration and verification processes, the incumbent supports smooth access to care and helps ensure appropriate reimbursement for services rendered.

Nature and Scope

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to promoting mental health and wellness, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Administrative & Registration Duties

• Perform accurate registration, insurance verification, and demographic data collection.
• Ensure appropriate payer identification and sequence; obtain necessary authorizations.
• Explain and obtain signatures for clinical and financial consent forms.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and Joint Commission standards.
• Document all required information accurately and in a timely manner.
• The incumbent is responsible for ordering entry and reception functions and assists in completing departmental tasks.

Peer Support/MHT & Direct Care

• Provide one-on-one and group peer support sessions for individuals in recovery.
• Provide oversight into the mental health facility, monitor the patients and conduct routine rounds to monitor the patients.
• Promote recovery, autonomy, and self-advocacy using lived experience in a non-judgmental manner.
• Assist with crisis prevention, de-escalation, and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment.
• Share recovery insights with staff and community partners to promote understanding of behavioral health recovery.
• Serve as a role model of recovery, demonstrating hope, resilience, and self-determination in overcoming obstacles.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals receiving mental health services, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
• Empower individuals to actively participate in their treatment planning and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of individuals receiving mental health and/or substance use services, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
• Empower individuals to actively participate in their treatment planning and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate calmly and effectively under stress.
• Skills to anticipate customer needs, deal with the unexpected, establish priorities, investigate, and adjust performance style when necessary.

Team Collaboration

• Participate in care planning with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers and others to develop comprehensive care plans that address the unique needs of everyone.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions with patients, families, and providers.
• Assist individuals in accessing community resources, social services, and other support networks to enhance their overall well-being and quality of life
• Assist in Crisis Intervention and de-escalation techniques as needed to ensure safety and well-being of clients and staff.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment in accordance with regulatory standards and agency policies.
• The ability to prioritize/multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to individuals interested in pursuing their own recovery journey or becoming a peer support specialist

Compliance & Documentation

• Meet departmental standards for documentation and data accuracy.
• Attend mandatory training and maintain required certifications.
• Uphold all safety and infection control protocols.
• Monitor and document client’s behavior, progress, and response to treatment interventions.
• Document all information collected timely and in accordance with department requirements.
• Document security-related incidents, observations, and interventions accurately and thoroughly in accordance with regulatory standard and facility policies.
• Adhere to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards in all interactions with clients, families, and colleagues.
• Must be able to ensure all matters related to patient information are kept secured, meeting confidentiality compliance standards set by The Joint Commission and HIPAA.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Name

Description

Education: Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English. High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

Prior behavioral health or healthcare experience required. Above average computer skills and experience with EPIC is strongly preferred. Preferred experience in a hospital, clinic or social service agency working with adults who have mental health and/or addiction issues.

License(s)

None

Certification(s)

• Ability to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada Peer Recovery and Support Specialists (PRSS) Certification within one (1) year of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain RENOWN provided AVADE certification for crisis prevention intervention within 90 days of hire (excludes department 515316)
• Ability to obtain and maintain BLS certification by the American Heart Association (AHA) standards required within 30 days of hire.

Computer / Typing

Must possess, or be able to obtain within 90 days, the computers skills necessary to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.