This position will support both the Atrium inpatient unit, a 15-bed adult unit known for its calm and treatment-focused environment, and the Center for Eating Disorders (CED), a 10-bed unit serving teenagers and adults. The Peer Specialist will provide recovery-oriented support, facilitate groups 1–2 times per week on each unit, and work with creative and diverse patient populations who are engaged in treatment and recovery.
Responsibilities include attending daily treatment team meetings to advocate for patients, supporting behavior activation plans on the Atrium unit, assisting patients with outcome questionnaires, and encouraging participation in groups, activities of daily living, and individualized treatment goals.
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.
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