Peer Counselor
20 days ago
Spokane
Job Descriptionfirsthand supports individuals living with SMI (serious mental illness). Our holistic approach includes a team of peer recovery specialists, benefits specialists and clinicians. Our teams focus on meeting each individual where they are and walking with them side by side as a trusted guide and partner on their journey to better health. firsthand's team members use their lived experience to build trust with these individuals and support them in reconnecting to the healthcare they need, while minimizing inappropriate healthcare utilization. Together with our health plan partners, we are changing the way our society supports those most impacted by SMI. We are cultivating a team of deeply passionate problem-solvers to tackle significant and complex healthcare challenges with us. This is more than a job—it's a calling. Every day, you will engage in work that resonates with purpose, gain wisdom from motivated colleagues, and thrive in an environment that celebrates continuous learning, creativity, and fun. We named our company firsthand because we believe that lived, or “firsthand,” experience is invaluable for gaining trust and building meaningful relationships. While we are listing this role externally as Recovery Peer Specialist—a widely recognized term—internally we refer to this important role as firsthand Guide (fG). In our peer-led model, fGs play a critical role in outreach and engagement, supporting individuals living with SMI to achieve and maintain both behavioral and physical wellness. Trust is at the heart of everything we do, and fGs are uniquely empowered to connect with people who have disengaged from—or never accessed—the services and supports that can improve their quality of life. This role carries the expertise of a Recovery Peer Specialist, but with our distinctive approach and mission woven into every interaction. The fG partners closely with other members of the firsthand Care Team to drive whole health wellness. This includes working closely with clinicians and other support team members to ensure individuals get the support they need. fGs act as the point of contact for individuals, helping them schedule appointments, advocate for their needs and set and achieve goals.As a fG, you will: • Conduct community outreach to individuals with SMI in homes, community locations, and care settings like shelters, hospitals, and emergency departments, • Support individuals health needs by scheduling appointments, taking vitals, ensuring clinical visits are attended and completed, and assisting with telehealth access, • Build trust and relationships by addressing immediate needs and empowering individuals to identify and pursue personal recovery goals, • Serve as the primary point-of-contact, using advanced engagement techniques to facilitate ongoing connection and engagement in supportive services, • Help address social determinants of health, facilitating access to benefits, resources, and transportation, • Assist with care coordination, advocating for individual goals, accompanying individuals to appointments, and addressing post-discharge needs, • Provide timely and thorough documentation of encounters and participate in case reviews and team collaboration, • Perform initial and ongoing telephonic outreach, • Participate in ongoing training and professional development, • Understand that as firsthand learns and grows, your role will constantly evolve. This job description represents many key elements of this role, but they are subject to changefGs should have:, • Empathy, compassion, and approachability, • Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills, • Personal knowledge of recovery, • Patience, persistence and a desire to help individuals experiencing SMI and/or SUD on their wellness journey, • Comfort working collaboratively within multidisciplinary team, • Basic proficiency with smartphone and computer technologyThe required experience you bring to this role includes:, • Lived experience with SMI and/or SUD, • Recovery Peer Specialist certification, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment, • Valid driver’s license in good standing, with the ability to operate a vehicle (company vehicle may be provided) and eligibility to drive under the company’s insurance policy, • Demonstrated proficiency with technical tools like email, messaging services, and apps, • Two (2) years demonstrated recovery time from a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder at the date of application, • Team members will complete a paid training period prior to serving individuals and must pass assessments to move forward., • High proficiency in Spanish preferred but not required Bonus points for:, • Experience with direct in-person outreach and engagement for individuals with SMI and SUD, • Expertise in recovery education and coaching, • Understanding of whole health and trauma-informed approaches to peer support, • Familiarity with local community resources, behavioral health systems, and the criminal justice system (e.g., mental health and drug courts), • Eagerness to expand knowledge about a broad range of health conditions, • Interest in gaining a Community Health Worker (CHW) Credential after hire, or already holds onePhysical Requirements:, • While performing the essential duties of this job, employees are required to frequently stand, sit, walk, crouch and use their hands to type, feel, handle and pick up objects, • Employees are occasionally required to climb stairs and balance; reach with their arms; stoop, bend, kneel, and lift up to 15 pounds