Certified Peer Support Specialist

PRN Day Shift

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you’ll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required

• Education
  High School Diploma or equivalent

• Licenses and Certifications
  (CPS) CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT Upon Hire

JOB DUTIES

• Provides peer support services to patients with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Under supervision, functions as role model to peers, promotes personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Serves as consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for patients in inpatient setting. Assists patients in recovery goal setting.
• Assists patients in developing personal goals for recovery through the use of individual and group sessions. Supports patients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the resources necessary to aid in achieving those goals.
• Utilizes tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan to assist patients in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans
• Assist patients in connecting with support groups in the community.
• Works with and under the guidance of the treatment team to utilize and promote problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; facilitates discussions regarding common concerns, barriers and experiences of patients and methods for coping.
• Assist patients in finding services that support their recovery needs including community resources and groups, government services, employment resources and housing resources.
• Communicates appropriately with patients/families, physicians, and staff. Relays information to appropriate personnel in accurate and timely manner. Gives staff and charge nurse status reports on patient concerns. Immediately alerts nurse if patient/patient’s family issues appear to be unresolved. Incorporates pure service principals in daily interactions.
• Follows all established policies when performing all tasks. Assumes accountability for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly. Performs work duties in accordance with standard precautions and OSHA guidelines.
• Maintains working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals and other relevant materials. Attends continuing education seminars and other in-service training when offered.
• Assists patients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.
• Attends at least 80% of scheduled staff meetings and 100% of mandatory educational sessions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.