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Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

The Peer Support Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Peer Support Specialist has experience navigating work and school as a young adult with personal, lived experience of a mental health condition. The Peer Support Specialist will work as an integral and equal member of a small, supported employment and education team, with a goal of helping young adult clients return to meaningful employment, education, and broaden social relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Develop collaborative and caring relationships to support clients in initiating and remaining in supported employment and education services.
• Share personal lived experience with obtaining and maintaining a job or attending school while also managing mental health symptoms to validate peers’ experiences, instill hope, and provide encouragement.
• Work with supported employment and education team to develop and maintain relationships with community supports, including jobs or internships sites, universities, training programs, etc.
• Educate peers, in an individual and group setting, about skills related to health and wellness while navigating school and work. Work is conducted both in clinic and in community as warranted.
• Work collaboratively with team to help peers crisis plan and navigate crises.
• Value communication and demonstrate this through use of active listening, person-first and recovery-oriented language, and timely documentation.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and trainings as applicable to the position.
• Advocate for peers’ needs and desires in team meetings, in community settings, and with family using knowledge of relevant rights and laws.
• Reflect and examine own personal motivations, judgments, and feelings related to peer work. Utilize effective self-care. Recognize personal signs of distress and understand when to seek support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of 18 years of age
• Possesses a high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Has entry level employment experience.

Preferred:

• Preferred experience with post-secondary education training, either through previous or current enrollment at university, college, or training program. 
• Possesses lived experience in effectively coping with a mental health condition and a capacity to share their recovery story in a way that engages, inspires, and validates the experiences of young adult clients.
• Preferred experience with both hourly and salaried employment.
• Preferred certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.