Peer Specialist Program
The Peer Specialist program is a program in which our peers have an opportunity to directly engage those struggling with SUD to begin or further their path in recovery. We are a close knit and supportive team.
Peer Specialists I are individuals with lived experience who provide non-clinical support as a fully integrated treatment team member and educator for staff. Peer Specialists I are role models of recovery values and principles by helping to identify and remove barriers and triggers to treatment for individuals receiving services from inpatient or outpatient programs.
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.
Qualifications:
- 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:
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- 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