The Riverside University Health System's Behavioral Health Department is seeking multiple Bilingual and Non-Bilingual Certified Peer Support Specialists/Trainees. This posting will be used to fill current and future vacancies . P ositions throughout multiple locations across Riverside County.

Under direction, provide information, support and assistance and advocacy for recipients, and/or caregivers/family members of consumers of mental health services and to provide feedback and perspective to the mental health system relative to the impact and effectiveness of the services provided and to do other work as required. Incumbents in this class provide a full range of information, training, support, encouragement, advocacy, service effectiveness assessment and related services in order to assist the consumer and family/caregiver in coping with immediate situations. The consumer perspective is provided in the development of programs and services and in formulation of treatment strategies. Incumbents of this class do not attempt to modify or change the consumer's personality structure. Classes in this series differ from those in the Clinical Therapist series in that the latter, due to advanced education and experience, use independent judgment in making diagnoses, developing treatment plans, and providing a wide range and variety of mental health services including psychotherapy. This series differs from the Behavioral Health Specialist series in that the latter provides general counseling, initial assessment and case management. In contrast, this series provides information and assistance based on the unique perspective of being a recipient of or having been closely associated with the direct receipt of mental health services.

The ideal candidate will bring personal experience in behavioral health or substance recovery and apply it to other consumers experiencing a similar situation. They will be able to communicate their experiences openly through one on one sessions and group facilitation if needed. Willingness to work with interdisciplinary groups and provide mentorship to support consumers.

HOW IT WORKS
- Applicants will answer questions about personal experience, work experience, and qualifications.
- The most competitive applicants (based on specialized skills) will be referred f or interviews.
- Applicants will receive email notification once their application is no longer being considered due to Candidate Pool expiration.

Some positions may require a law enforcement background investigation which requires completion of an extensive questionnaire, meeting with a background investigator, and submitting several references.

Competitive candidates will possess current or previous experience as a consumer of behavioral health or substance recovery services for a minimum of one year. Applications may remain active up to 6 months.

Schedule: Schedules vary depending on location and department needs.

Peer Support Specialist Trainee Salary Range: $19.4376-$26.6435

Certified Peer Support Specialist Salary Range: $23.3042-$31.7168

Valid California Driver's License and CALMHSA MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION may be required at various locations.

Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45, 000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian's Office, address the diverse needs of our community.

At RUHS Behavioral Health, you'll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

If you're passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!

For more information, please visit www.ruhealth.org/behavioral-health

"Applications will be reviewed in the order of when it was received "Peer Support Specialist Trainee
• Provide meaningful self-disclosure of personal lived experience of behavior health-related and/or substance abuse-related recovery and resiliency to the people served in the system of care (required by State Certification).

• In a training capacity, inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families and caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.

• Communicate, represent and promote the consumer, families and caregivers' perspective within the behavioral health system.

• Facilitate self-help groups for consumers, youth, family members, and caregivers.

• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and in the community.

• Develop activities, programs and resources which support consumers, families and caregivers in achieving their goals.

• Support the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.

• Develop effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family and caregiver empowerment.

• Help prepare and support clients, families and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.

• Help consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs.

• Focus on and is sensitive to consumer, family and caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with behavioral health services.

• Assist and promote consumers and those who support them in support networks and activities.

• Document all activities as required, following appropriate Medi-Cal billing practices.

Certified Peer Support Specialist
• Provide meaningful self-disclosure of personal lived experience of behavioral health-related or substance abuse-related recovery and resiliency to the people served in the system of care (required by State Certification).

• Inform, train, support, and empower consumers, families and caregivers who directly or indirectly receive behavioral health services.

• Communicate, represent and promote the consumer, families and caregivers' perspective within the behavioral health system.

• Facilitate self-help groups for clients, youth, family members, and caregivers.

• Attend and participate in special events, conferences, workshops, and trainings within the behavioral health system and in the community.

• Develop activities, programs and resources which support consumers, families and caregivers in achieving their goals.

• Supports the appropriate recognition, acceptance and understanding of social and cultural factors in the provision of behavioral health services.

• Develop effective working relationships with agencies and organizations to advocate for consumer, family and caregiver empowerment.

• Help prepare and support clients, families and caregivers at consumer progress consultation meetings and at a variety of formal and informal hearings.

• Help consumers and those who support them to articulate their needs.

• Focus on and is sensitive to consumer, family and caregiver satisfaction with the services received and general satisfaction with behavioral health services.

• Assist and promote consumers and those who support them in support networks and activities.

• Document all activities as required, following appropriate Medi-Cal billing practices.Peer Support Specialist Trainee Recruiting Guidelines:
Mental Health Peer Specialist Trainee: $19.43 - $26.64

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate is required.

Experience: Depending on the assignment, current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services or as a family member/caregiver of a former or current behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumer.

Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained within two (2) years of the employee start date. Failure to obtain a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of: The basic needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, caregivers and families of behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumers; the public and/or private agency services available for families, children and adults with serious behavioral health needs, such as schools, social services and other systems.

Ability to: Learn the basic principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health system to service consumers, parents, family members, and caregivers; establish and maintain working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.
Certified Peer Support Specialist Recruiting Guidelines: Mental Health Peer Specialist: $22.41 - $30.50

Education: Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency or high school proficiency certificate is required.

Experience: Depending on the assignment, current or previous recovery experience as a consumer of behavioral health and/or substance abuse services or as a family member/caregiver of a former or current behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumer.

AND

California State Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification.

A valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be obtained prior to the employment start date. Employees holding a Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification must be re-certified every two (2) years. Failure to maintain a valid Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification may lead to termination.

License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of: The needs and difficulties faced by ethnically diverse consumers, families and caregivers of behavioral health and/or substance abuse consumers; the public and/or private agency services available for families, children and adults with serious behavioral health needs, such as schools, social services and other systems; the self-help and consumer oriented treatment models; and methods to effectively communicate with consumers, families and caregivers, the community and the behavioral health treatment team.

Ability to: Understand the principles of the behavioral health system and effectively work within the system; effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and behavioral health system; understand and articulate the cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns; effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health system to service consumers, parents, family members and caregivers; establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of community agencies and organizations; obtain and record accurate information for case documentation and other reports.Application Status

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Go to www.RC-HR.com, click on “Careers, ” click on “County Job Openings, ” and click on “Subscribe to Job Alerts” icon.

For questions regarding this recruitment,
Please contact Edgar Manzo at (951) 555 0951 or EMCardenas@rivco.org .
Please allow 1-2 business days for a response to general inquiries