"Peer Support Specialist Street Medicine I/II"

Job Summary/Basic Function

The Peer Support Specialist I is an entry-level recovery support professional who brings lived experience of mental health and/or substance use recovery to engage and support individuals served through the Dayton Street Medicine program. This role focuses on relationship-building, outreach engagement, and resource connection under the guidance of the Program Coordinator and clinical team.

The Peer Support Specialist II is an experienced and certified peer recovery professional who operates with greater independence and responsibility within the interdisciplinary street medicine team. This role manages more complex engagement situations, carries defined follow-up responsibilities, contributes to care planning discussions, and mentors learners and Level I peers. This role operates within a trauma-informed, harm-reduction framework and focuses on engagement, encouragement, advocacy, and connection to community-based resources. The Peer Support Specialist complements - but does not replace - clinical care provided by physicians and licensed professionals.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery.
• Must have a minimum of one (1) year of continuous recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder.
• Basic knowledge of behavioral health systems and trauma-informed principles
• Understanding of recovery principles, harm reduction, and trauma-informed engagement.
• Familiarity with documentation and record-keeping.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and listening skills.
• Ability to establish trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and complex health and social needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to engage in local travel related to outreach.

Level I

• Must be eligible for OhioMHAS Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (CPRS) and obtain certification within 12 months of hire.

Level II

• Current OhioMHAS Certified Peer Recovery Supporter (CPRS) in good standing.
• Minimum of one (1) year of peer support, outreach, or recovery services experience. This experience can include experience gained through intern/externships or volunteering.

Essential Functions and percent of time

Level I

Resource Navigation & Advocacy - 30%

• Assist individuals in identifying and accessing community resources.
• Support referral completion under guidance of Level II or Coordinator.
• Provide basic follow-up contact as assigned.

Community Engagement & Outreach - 30%

• Participate in weekly street rounds and outreach activities.
• Initiate supportive peer relationships.
• Provide encouragement, mentoring, and recovery support.
• Engage individuals using trauma-informed principles.

Team Collaboration & Documentation - 30%

• Document peer encounters in accordance with program standards (training provided).
• Participate in team huddles and care reflections.
• Collaborate with team members to support care coordination.

Professional Development & Safety - 10%

• Complete required peer certification training.
• Attend required program and safety trainings.
• Maintain ethical peer boundaries.

Level II

Resource Navigation & Advocacy - 30%

• Independently connect individuals to housing, treatment, healthcare, and employment services.
• Carry defined follow-up caseload to ensure continuity of engagement.
• Assist clients in system navigation and advocacy with external agencies.
• Track outcomes and follow-up metrics as required by program reporting.

Community Engagement & Outreach - 30%

• Lead engagement efforts during street rounds as appropriate.
• Engage high-acuity or resistant individuals using advanced trauma-informed strategies.
• Provide structured recovery coaching.
• Represent peer services in community partner interactions as assigned.

Team Collaboration & Documentation - 30%

• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate documentation in EMR.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary case discussions.
• Contribute insights to care planning conversations.
• Mentor learners in recovery principles and outreach engagement.
• Support onboarding or guidance of Level I peers when applicable.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and data collection.

Professional Development & Safety - 10%

• Maintain certification and continuing education requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership in safety practices during outreach.
• Model ethical peer practice and professional conduct.

Working Conditions

This position is part-time, approximately 10 – 15 hours per week, with the potential to increase as the program grows and additional funding is secured. The work environment and schedule require at least two half-days of direct care per week, including street rounds. Some evening outreach and education may be required.