UPMC Western Maryland is seeking a Peer Navigator to support our Behavioral Health Case Management department.

This is a full-time generally dayshift position that will include occassional weekend and holiday shifts.

Peer Navigators are individuals with lived experience who provide non-clinical support as a fully integrated treatment team member and educator for staff. Peer Navigators 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. The Peer Navigator independently provides consumers with linkage to community resources as recommended by the medical team.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge and application of Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Personal Medicine, and Mental Health Advanced Directives documents.
• Assist individuals to access and coordinate appropriate drug and alcohol and related services, including 12-step programs, residential treatment programs, and inpatient programs.
• Maintain all required paperwork and documentation in a timely manner, as directed by Supervisor.
• Serves as recovery advocate by providing educational information and helping consumers to make informed choices.
• Provide peer services as a non-clinical provider and seek clinical staff for interventions as necessary, reporting pertinent patient information to the appropriate clinical staff.
• Provide peer support services to patients in the hospital or community settings.
• Develops and maintains relationships with community-based treatment agencies and human service providers.
• Demonstrates Knowledge of Engagement Strategies such as Motivational Interviewing Techniques and Harm Reduction.
• Works within the context of the interdisciplinary treatment team and/or as a member of an identified program/module and as such is expected to attend staffing, consultations, and case conferences.
• Consistently instills hope by keeping a positive outlook in work and in attitude, and is willing to share experience as a person in recovery.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries, as described in peer orientation trainings.
• Work with Consumers individually to address recovery goals, including discharge planning based on the needs and goals of the consumer.
• Educate consumers and other staff members about your role as a peer support.
• Able to function autonomously and analyze and solve moderately complicated problems.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist certification is preferred.

• Minimum of two years of sobriety/recovery is required.

• College-level coursework in a human service field preferred. Associates or Bachelors degree in human service field preferred.

• Have lived experience and a self-disclosed primary mental health diagnosis or have experienced the recovery process, and willing to share drug and alcohol experiences to the benefit of consumers served.

• Basic understanding of mental health and co-occurring disorder conditions or substance use that interfere with the activities of daily living and mental health wellness.

• Progressed in own recovery and have a 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 consumers, families, and interested stakeholders that peer support is a non-clinical service to promote recovery wellness.

• Entry-level competency using a computer, including email use and Microsoft Word.

  Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

  UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran