Peer Specialist (Part-Time) chez Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Peer Specialist (Adult Services - Inglewood)

This is a part-time and hybrid position based in Inglewood, CA. The schedule is Tuesday through Thursday, totaling 20 hours per week. One day a week on-site required.

The pay range for this position is between $18.10-$20.81 hourly.

Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch.

About Didi Hirsch 

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible.

Summary 

As a Peer Specialist, you will use your lived experience to build trust, advocate for clients, and promote engagement in their recovery. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help clients navigate services, access resources, and ensure their voices and preferences guide their care.

Primary Duties 

• Orients clients and other supportive people in client’s life to the mental health, medical and social services systems.   
• Facilitates individual meetings with clients, as well as peer-led groups.     
• Assists clients in identifying and building on their strengths and explores barriers to treatment compliance.   
• Assists clients in developing healthy coping skills while addressing barriers to physical and mental wellness.    
• Provide coaching in activities such as budgeting, shopping, cooking, housekeeping, using public transportation to access support and community resources.  
• Acts as a role model for wellness and recovery and provides support in a mutually respectful way.    
• Shares their personal recovery story with clients as it related to the client’s recovery, while maintaining professional boundaries to promote clients’ own recovery journey.  
• Uses motivational interviewing, trauma- informed care, and harm-reduction approaches to support clients’ recovery.   
• Supports clients in accessing referrals to psychiatry, housing, primary care and other resources as needed.     
• Accompanies clients to office visits, and other medical and/or social services appointments as needed.  Assist clients in self-advocacy with other health care professionals. 
• Communicates with the multidisciplinary team regarding client’s progress and challenges.  Provides relevant feedback to the team related to behavioral deviations from the recovery plan with the goal of supporting timely responses of care by team members.  
• Works collaboratively with other multidisciplinary team members when one of their clients is in crisis.  Helps facilitate conflict resolution and stays connected to clients during times of stress and transition.   
• Engages with community members through various channels, including community events, workshops and outreach programs to raise awareness.  
• Maintains documentation of all services; ensures compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies.  
• Develops and maintains peer advocate skills through seminars, workshops or other forms of training/education related to assigned duties.  
• Consults with supervisor so as to make informed decisions regarding client care prior to taking actions related to programming and services.  
• Leads dialogue related to recovery with team members to inform treatment from a recovering person’s perspective.  
• Attends and actively participates in all team and staff meetings, community meetings and supervision/consultation. 
• Performs related duties as requested that support the client, programmatic needs and initiatives of the Agency. 

Position Requirements 

• High school diploma or GED required.  
• A Peer Support Certification from an approved CALMHSA training program is required. 
• Minimum 6 months to 1 year of Peer Specialist experience required. 
• Have lived experience which could include navigation of the mental health system and/or substance use treatment system as a consumer. 
• Have a working knowledge of peer social support services, including peer led groups and recovery resources such as 12-step program and community support groups. 
• Support the values and mission of Didi Hirsch as related to employment. 
• Knowledge of Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, policies and documentation guidelines, and county, state and federal regulations relating to service programs for individuals and families with a history of mental illness and/or substance use.  
• Basic advocacy skills to include a holistic approach to integrated health care and case management.  
• Skills to present ideas, information, and viewpoints clearly, both verbally and in writing.  
• Able to efficiently use the personal computer to include Microsoft Office Suite and Electronic Health Record.  
• Ability to travel in the community and/or between agency sites to provide services in a variety of settings, including outpatient and field based locations (home, school, etc.).  
• Demonstrate commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch mission.  
• Adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.  
• Ability to transport clients using personal or Agency vehicle and/or public transportation.   
• Current California driver’s license, car insurance, and a driving record acceptable to the Agency’s insurance carrier.  
• May be required to possess language fluency in a second language and be culturally competent in its associated ethnicity.