Peer Support Specialist-Psychiatry (As Needed)

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Peer Support Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges by drawing upon their own lived experience of recovery journey. They will use this experience to inspire and support others, promote self-determination, and advocate for recovery-oriented practices. The Peer Support specialist operates from the Crisis Now concept and focuses on practices including recovery orientation, trauma-informed care, and a philosophy that crises are an opportunity for learning. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, the Peer Support Specialist provides mentorship, encourages patients to engage with their treatment, and helps build resilience.

Responsibilities:

• Use training and personal recovery experiences to provide peer support for patients receiving care.
• Develop collaborative and caring relationships to support clients in initiating and remaining in supported employment and education services.
• Share personal lived experience with obtaining and maintaining a job or attending school while also managing mental health symptoms to validate peers’ experiences, instill hope, and provide encouragement.
• Work with supported employment and education team to develop and maintain relationships with community supports, including jobs or internships sites, universities, training programs, etc.
• Educate peers, in an individual and group setting, about skills related to health and wellness while navigating school and work.
• Work is conducted both in clinic and in community as warranted.
• Work collaboratively with teams to help peer’s crisis plan and navigate crises.
• Value communication and demonstrate this through use of active listening, person-first and recovery-oriented language, and timely documentation.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and trainings as applicable to the position.
• Advocate for peers’ needs and desires in team meetings, in community settings, and with family using knowledge of relevant rights and laws.
• Reflect and examine own personal motivations, judgments, and feelings related to peer work.
• Utilize effective self-care. Recognize personal signs of distress and understand when to seek support.
• Provide recovery information and activities to patients: information, resources, and connection to natural supports following the principles of trauma-informed care
• Assess and evaluate patient’s needs, strengths, goals, and resources
• Advocate within systems to promote person centered recovery support services. Work within an interdisciplinary team in reviewing cases and developing individual plans
• Consult with other staff regarding assessment and treatment/intervention planning
• Document service provision as required by NM standards.
• Maintain clinical and management records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate ability to meet productivity requirements and outcome measures set in accordance with program goals.
• Attend required staffing and other meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Possesses a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Has entry level employment experiences.
• Peer Support Specialists should be able to articulate their personal experience in recovery when working with patients who are experiencing mental health and/or drug/alcohol issues as it relates to providing peer support services to these patient populations.
• Upon completion of 2,000 hours supervised work experience, the Peer Support Specialist is required to obtain their Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CSSRS) credential

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in behavioral health related field
• One year working with individuals with mental illness and/or drug and alcohol issues
• Experiencing running Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) Classes
• Certification as a WRAP facilitator
• Preferred experience with post-secondary education training, either through previous or current enrollment at university, college, or training program.
• Possesses lived experience in effectively coping with a mental health condition and a capacity to share their recovery story in a way that engages, inspires, and validates the experiences of young adult clients.
• Preferred experience with both hourly and salaried employment.
• Preferred certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.