Peer Support Specialist

OneTogether Solutions; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar Wellness Center in Tacoma, WA, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to support patients’ recovery in a tribal OTP setting. You will blend clinical support with lived experience to provide empathy, encouragement, and access to essential resources, helping patients navigate their treatment journey with dignity.

The role emphasizes HIPAA compliance, community referrals, and collaboration with the treatment team to deliver whole-person care within a supportive, compassionate environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Knowledge of SUD treatment and recovery principles.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures related to HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid and insurance programs.
• Knowledge of office functions, procedures, and policies.
• Skill in Windows word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases including electronic health care systems.
• Skill in data entry with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to frequent changes in duties and volume of work.
• Ability to maintain a customer-first attitude.
• Ability to listen empathetically.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate situations and adopt actions.
• Ability to remain calm and professional under stress.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and versatile.
• Ability to maintain humility.

Responsibilities

• Maintains availability to patients daily to assist with critical resources and referrals.
• Provides individual and group peer-support services.
• Facilitates Contingency Management programs and services.
• Develops relationships with agencies for care coordination and information sharing.
• Provides transportation support, housing referrals and care coordination.
• Performs admission functions, including entering referral data.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families.
• Maintains professional relationships with referral sources and community resources.
• Participates in staff meetings and supports administrative staff as needed.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Cedar Wellness Center is a Tribally owned clinic that treats a diverse population of patients, including Native and Non-Native people. We have the opportunity to provide whole person care, while managing patient substance use disorders, primary care, infectious disease, and mental health needs. We are building a team of dedicated and compassionate individuals.

Cedar Wellness Center brings an innovative model of highly individualized, compassionate care to patients with opioid use disorder. From the moment someone walks through the door of our state-of-the-art outpatient facility, they will encounter our thoughtfulness and intention for a humanizing and respectful experience with us. The comforting and safe setting of our nature- inspired facility and the friendly, professional attitude of our staff help to define our journey with each patient—and with each other—from day one.

Each employee at Cedar Wellness Center creates their own ripple effect in the larger circles of the families and communities that we touch. Are you ready to make a difference with us?

We are currently seeking a Peer Support Specialist to support our clinic in Tacoma, WA. This position, reporting to the Clinic Director, is an excellent opportunity for someone excited to make an immediate and lasting impact in a growing company.

Indian Preference applies. Qualified Indian (American Indian or Alaskan Native) applicants will receive preference in accordance with 25 U.S.C. § 5323 and 25 U.S.C. § 472a.

Position Overview

Cedar Wellness Center is seeking to hire a versatile Peer Support Specialist who loves taking on a challenge and being part of an aligned, committed team. We are looking for a Peer Support Specialist to support patients’ recovery within a tribal OTP setting by offering peer services using their lived experience to provide empathy, encouragement, and access to essential resources. This role helps to ensure patients navigate their treatment journey with dignity and hope by blending clinical support with lived experience or deep understanding of substance use recovery. The Peer Support Specialist supports the treatment team in providing whole person care. Adheres to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current Peer Support Specialist Certification licensed in the State of Washington.
• One (1) year of office or professional experience, preferably in an OTP or SUD setting.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Must be able to provide health and TB clearance.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology is preferred.
• Knowledge of SUD treatment and recovery principles.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures related to HIPPA, Medicare, Medicaid and insurance programs.
• Knowledge of office functions, procedures, and policies.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheet and database software programs in a Windows environment including electronic health care systems.
• Skill in data entry with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to react to frequent changes in duties and volume of work.
• Ability to demonstrate a customer–first attitude and philosophy.
• Ability to listen empathetically.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct activity in an ethical manner.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to maintain passion for assisting patients under all circumstances.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, to share opinions, and uphold beliefs.
• Ability to maintain calm, focused, professional, and kind in highly stressful situations.
• Ability to be reliable, flexible, and versatile.
• Ability to maintain humility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains availability to patients daily to assist with critical resources and referrals.
• Provides individual and group peer-support services.
• Facilitates the delivery of Internal and HCA supported Contingency Management programs and services.
• Develops relationships and coordinates with agencies and service providers to facilitate coordination and information sharing; provides support services as applicable.
• Provides transportation support, housing referrals and PCP and specialty care coordination.
• Performs admission functions, including entering referral data.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and families.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with current and potential referral sources.
• Maintains comprehensive working knowledge of community resources and assist patients in accessing community resources.
• Develops, creates, and maintains a resource file of available social service agencies and assistance providers in the target area for use in referring customers for needed services.
• Serves as the face of the clinic to all patients and visitors, when serving as receptionist.
• Answers calls politely and professionally; refers calls to appropriate staff or takes messages; sets or clears call forwarding when necessary; checks for messages with "on call" person or answering machine each morning.
• Schedules new and returning patients with appropriate staff for medical and clinical counseling appointments; records patient attendance, "no shows," and cancellations.
• Contacts patients via phone to facilitate re engagement to prevent discharge from services.
• Participates in staff meetings and works with other administrative staff as required.
• Maintains professional and congenial attitude toward coworkers, patients, agencies, and members in the community.
• Uses appropriate technology to accomplish job functions; understands and utilizes available technology as customer service, communications, and data-gathering tools.
• Coordinates with jail and probation officials.
• Participates in health fairs, community events, and other events where the target population gathers.
• Floats to the Front office position as needed.
• Completes all required competencies and maintains skill level.
• Recognizes the need for continuous learning by attending staff development programs and workshops.
• Upholds commitment to respectful patient- and family-centered care.
• Upholds patient confidentiality and safety.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with physicians/team members, patients, and families.
• Works effectively with multidisciplinary team members.
• Promotes mutual respect and trust working within a team model.
• Follows ethical principles regarding patient confidentiality.
• Maintains and practices confidentiality as required by HIPAA regulations regarding client confidentiality and request/release of information.
• Adapts to changes in safety protocols and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, use hands to keyboard, type, handle materials and equipment, reach with hands and arms, and perform repetitive tasks, including typing and data entry. The employee must possess sufficient speech and hearing abilities to understand verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and by telephone. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in both office and clinical settings, with occasional work performed in community environments, as applicable. Employees may be exposed to unpleasant odors, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, dust, fumes, airborne particles, allergens, and other environmental conditions commonly associated with healthcare settings. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required. This position may involve interactions with individuals who are distressed, hostile, or exhibiting challenging behaviors.

The employee must be able to analyze and evaluate situations, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and competing demands. Occasional overnight travel and evening or weekend work may be required based on operational needs.

Please visit www.cw.health for more information.