Peer Support Specialist

If you are as passionate about helping those in need as you are about growing your career, consider AltaMed. At AltaMed, your passion for helping others isn’t just welcomed – it’s nurtured, celebrated, and promoted, allowing you to grow while making a meaningful difference. We don’t just serve our communities; we are an integral part of them. By raising the expectations of what a community clinic can deliver, we demonstrate our belief that quality care is for everyone. Our commitment to providing exceptional care, despite any challenges, goes beyond just a job; it’s a calling that drives us forward every day.

The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for delivering peer support services in an outpatient setting to clients suffering from drug or alcohol dependencies. The Specialist possesses a deep understanding of the concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness, and can effectively advocate for the rights and needs of individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The Specialist demonstrates compassion and respect while utilizing a combination of psychiatric rehabilitation skills and addiction recovery principles to promote recovery. The Specialist collaborates with the patient to define treatment goals and treatment success measures, using evidence-based outcome measures. Through fostering connection and a sense of belonging, the Specialist works with clients as equals, encouraging self-direction, wellness, and recovery. Lastly, the Specialist may attend various conferences/workshops concerning mental health or substance use treatment and may be involved in multidisciplinary projects.

• High School Diploma or equivalent education required.

• Associate’s degree preferred.

• Have Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (CMPSS) with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and maintain CMPSS certification in good standing throughout employment OR

• Must obtain Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (CMPSS) within 1 month of hire and maintain the certification in good standing with the California Mental Health Services Authority throughout employment.

• Must have lived experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, required.

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in substance dependence, mental health, or the healthcare field is preferred.

• Strong understanding of addiction recovery practices and trauma-informed care, preferred.

• Minimum of 1 year of healthcare experience is preferred.

• Bilingual Spanish is preferred.

• Valid BLS certification or higher, following the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross guidelines.

AltaMed Health Services Corp. will consider qualified applicants with criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if AltaMed Health Service Corp. is concerned about a conviction directly related to the job, you will be given a chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.