Peer Support Specialist I

We are here for lifes journey.
Where is your life journey taking you

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

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist will provide peer support linkage to care referral to community resources and education for selfmanagement of chronic conditions to adults released from incarceration by utilizing their own lived experiences to provide support mentoring and sharing of resources. The Peer Specialist works with clients inside Department of Corrections facilities located in Denver. The Peer Specialist meets with individuals in prison to improve connection to Denver Health and/or other agencies for primary care substance use mental health and other treatment upon release. The Peer Support Specialist will aid clients in building community creating relationships connecting with followup 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.

Due to this position often working within carceral facilities hiring is contingent upon Denver Health and the Colorado Department of Corrections performing a background check for disqualifying conditions.

Additional Information: This is a 2 year grant funded position

Essential Functions:

• Perform outreach and engagement into local evidencebased 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 communitybased 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:

• 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 and
• Completion of minimum 60 hours of peer support specialist training or willingness to complete this training within 6 months of employment.
  
  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.
  Required

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. Crosscultural skills and experience with culturally diverse populations.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

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)

• Onsite 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 safetysensitive positions must pass a preemployment drug test once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

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

As Colorados primary and essential safetynet institution Denver Health is a missiondriven 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 185000 individuals and 67000 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.