Peer Support Specialist II - Jail to Community

Job Summary

Denver Health is recruiting a Peer Support Specialist II for a new program titled THRIVE-JOI : Transforming Health by Reducing Inequities for the Vulnerable - Jail to community Overdose Intervention.

The THRIVE-JOI Peer will provide peer recovery support and linkage to care for individuals released from incarceration who are seeking treatment for substance use.

The THRIVE-JOI Peer works with clients in Denver City and County Jails who are currently receiving treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders.

The Peer meets with individuals in jail to provide intentional peer support, plan for release, facilitate connection to Denver Health and / or other agencies for substance use and other treatment upon release, and assist with resource navigation.

After release from jail, the Peer continues to provide these services and support for six months. The THRIVE-JOI Peer works to fill a critical gap in care by assisting with a critical transition of care, offering trauma-informed peer support, and meeting other key needs upon release.

The Peer builds connections and works collaboratively with other Denver Health partners, jail programs staff, and community-based organizations to establish this new linkage to care model and to provide feedback on the program’s design, processes, and quality improvement.

Due to the in-reach component of this program, hiring is contingent upon passing a background check with Denver Health as well as Denver City and County Jails.

The Peer Support Specialist II will provide support, assistance, and advocation for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges by utilizing their own lived experiences to provide support, mentoring, and sharing of resources.

The Peer Support Specialist will aid clients in building community, creating relationships, connecting with follow-up care and resources, mentoring, and setting goals and helping clients to overcome obstacles to achieving their goals.

The Peer Support Specialist will build relationships with hospitals, community mental health and service providers, harm reduction organizations, supportive housing agencies, and law enforcement to educate each about the availability of treatment and to support effective linkage to services and supports.

Essential Functions :

Perform outreach and engagement into local evidence-based treatment for people experiencing substance misuse and mental health challenges.

Create authentic and meaningful supportive relationships with individuals with substance use and / or mental health challenges seeking treatment and understand their needs to assist them in being linked to the appropriate supportive resources.

Facilitate peer recovery support services, in a group and / or individual settings. Assist participants with the creation of a personal recovery plan and / or provide resources to reduce barriers to care.

Assist patients in completing any necessary paperwork. Document appropriately according to job requirements. (35%)

Partner with treatment providers, hospitals, Emergency Departments, harm reduction organizations, support services, law enforcement, and community-based organizations to educate each about the availability of treatment and ensure effective linkage to services from the community.

Participate in regular community meetings focused on addressing substance misuse and mental health challenges, as assigned by supervisor. (20%)

Assist patients in accessing therapeutic and supportive services, promote personal growth, development, and recovery while meeting patients where they are at.

Be a mentor and role model, aid in goal setting, building skills, and removing barriers to follow up care. Advocate for people in recovery while serving as a living example of someone who has previously suffered from addiction or mental health issues and desires to help others achieve and maintain recovery. (40%)

Develops resource lists and workflows for ease of transitions between internal and external programs and departments. (5%)

Education :

• No High School Diploma and / or No GED Required
• High School Diploma or GED Preferred

Work Experience :

• Lived experience of recovery from substance use and / or successful management of mental health challenges for a minimum of 1 year (longer period preferred). Required
• Certified as a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS), National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification, or an equivalent peer certification.

Full certification required. OR willingness to complete full certification within 6 months of employment. Required

• Minimum of 1 year experience in peer support position or relevant work in similar field. Required
• Familiarity with community programs, either through lived experience or in a peer role
• Experience navigating the criminal justice system highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Strong, effective, responsive communication skill. Excellent customer service.
• Organized and attention to details.
• Ability to summarize the positive effects personal recovery experience, and willing to share this experience in a way that would be helpful to others.
• Must honor, support and accept all pathways to recovery.
• Basic computer skills, including ability to use Microsoft Office Programs such as Outlook,
• Word and Excel and to operate a copier and scanner. Cross-cultural skills, and experience with culturally diverse populations.

Shift

Days (United States of America)

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$23.85 - $32.26 / hr

Benefits

Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.

5%, and generous medical plans

Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

Tuition reimbursement & assistance

Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program

National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

Our Values

Respect

Belonging

Accountability

Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured.

Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

We strongly support diversity in the workforce and Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Denver Health values the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. For more about our commitment to diversity visit :

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.