Peer Specialist I - Horizon

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This is a fast-paced and dynamic position that works with the Consult Liaison team. This role requires a self-motivated individual who provides non-clinical peer support to patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, while frequently traveling between hospital buildings. Drawing from their own lived experience, Peer Specialists serve as recovery role models and educators, helping individuals identify and overcome barriers to treatment, navigate recovery supports, and achieve their personal recovery goals. They also promote recovery-oriented values and principles while collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to enhance patient engagement and support successful treatment outcomes.

This position based at UPMC Horizon hospital.

Responsibilities:

Feedback and Communication

Provide feedback to clients, families, and clinical staff.

Recovery Management

Assist clients in recovery management, including goal setting, identifying barriers, and strategies.
Help clients find and use community supports and resources.

Advocacy

Advocate for clients in meetings, voicing their viewpoints and goals.

Community Engagement

Accompany clients to community activities and provide follow-up services.
Facilitate recovery and wellness groups; offer individual support.

Progress Monitoring

Monitor progress and provide feedback.

Crisis Support

Use crisis support to develop and implement action plans.

Documentation

Maintain required paperwork and documentation promptly.

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist certification is preferred.
Have lived experience in one or more of the following areas: mental health, substance use disorder, the recovery process, and willing to share experiences to the benefit of clients/patients served.
Progressed in own recovery and have basic understanding of the recovery principles: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Empowerment Skills, Self-Advocacy, Educational Opportunities, and the importance of using personal and community Supports.
Able to articulate to clients/patients, families, and to interested stakeholders that peer support is a non-clinical service to promote recovery and wellness.
Basic understanding of mental health, wellness, and resiliency.
Familiar with Office 365 – e.g., Microsoft Word, Outlook.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

Why ask this? You want to ensure you have a clear understanding of expectations before accepting the role. Knowing how success is measured helps you hit the ground running and avoid surprises about performance evaluations. It also signals to the employer that you're results-driven.

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What are the biggest challenges facing the person in this role right now?

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How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

Why ask this? Burnout is real, and some companies expect employees to sacrifice personal time for the job. By asking this, you’ll get a sense of how they value work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being—things that are crucial for job satisfaction and long-term success.

These questions help you make an informed decision while also showing your professionalism and strategic thinking!

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