Peer Support Specialist I - THRIVE Care Team - FT / Days

We are recruiting for a motivated Peer Support Specialist I - THRIVE Care Team - FT / Days to join our team!

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Being the heartbeat of Denver means our heart reflects something bigger than ourselves, something that connects us all :

Humanity in action, Triumph in hardship, Transformation in health.

Department

Adult Psychiatrists

With over 700 employees, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) at Denver Health is a large and rapidly expanding department that provides psychiatric care for patients in community, emergency, inpatient, justice, medical, mobile, and outpatient settings. As a non-profit committed to meeting community needs and promoting health equity, Denver Health offers psychiatrists a practice full of meaning and purpose. All physicians at Denver Health have an academic appointment at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. As such, Denver Health is an excellent place to work for physicians with an interest in clinical education.

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist 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. (40%)
• 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%)

Education :

Work Experience :

Approved peer training should count towards Colorado Peer and Family Specialist (CPFS) certification, National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) certification, or an equivalent peer certification. Full certification not required, only training hours completed. Equivalent peer training hours must be approved by a board recognized by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) as meeting minimum standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Shift

Days (United States of America)

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$21.25 - $29.75 / 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.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.