Recovery Coach- Peer Support Specialist

Inspire. Empower. Recover.
LifeWays is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to use lived experience to connect with, encourage, and empower individuals on their recovery journey. You’ll help consumers identify strengths, set goals, and access resources while fostering resilience and self-advocacy.

What You’ll Do

• Provide a welcoming, calm, and supportive presence for consumers.

• Review social determinants of health and connect individuals to resources to remove barriers to recovery.

• Offer peer guidance to consumers and families navigating the mental health system.

• Encourage development of coping skills, community living skills, and meaningful engagement.

• Support consumers in employment, education, volunteer work, and other purposeful activities.

• Facilitate support groups, wellness groups, and community outreach events.

• Ask facilitative questions to help consumers gain insight and develop solutions.

• Work closely with mental health clinicians and clinical teams to provide coordinated care.

• Identify and problem-solve barriers to appointment compliance.

• Maintain consistent attendance and professionalism.

• NOTE: The lists of essential and additional functions are not exhaustive. They may be supplemented as necessary from time to time.

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) system; minimum of three years’ experience working with CMH populations.
• Knowledge of specific disease and lifestyle related topics such as smoking cessation, weight management, nutrition, stress reduction and chronic conditions and certification from an accredited professional wellness coach training program, preferred.
• Knowledge of credentialing status in order to perform duties within their scope.
• Knowledge and understanding of all regulations, contract requirements, standards applicable to performance of duties.
• Working knowledge of resources, including but not limited to: Diagnostic Criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Medicaid Provider Manual, LifeWays Provider Manual, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), LifeWays Policies and Procedures, LifeWays Provider Newsletters and Communication, Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), and departmental processes.

Skills

• Motivational and empathic interviewing.
• Leading focus group discussions.
• Reporting on outcomes of focus groups.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (consumers, professionals, community members).
• Concurrent/collaborative documentation of services.
• Excellent time management skills in a setting with potential frequent interruptions; ability to coordinate multiple concurrent duties and perform tasks in an organized and timely manner, with attention to detail.
• Experience with basic data analytics and proficiency/intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access) and other relatable software (Power BI, etc.); and internet applications, including Electronic Medical Record. Ability to navigate LifeWays Intranet.

Abilities

• Ability to maintain credentialed status to perform duties.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, high-stress situations and a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to use good judgement to arrive at sound clinical decisions.
• Ability to learn quickly, ability to adjust to changes in job assignment, methods, personnel, or surroundings.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

Required Education/Certification/Licensure

Peer Support Specialist – individual who:

• Has high school diploma or equivalent.
• Has Peer Support Specialist Certification, within one year of hire.
• Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) certified or ability to become certified within 3 months of hire.
• Has lived experience who received mental health services from the public mental health system.
• Is willing and able to self-identify as a person who has or is receiving behavioral health services and is prepared to use that experience in helping others.
• Is trained in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved curriculum and training model.

Preferred Education / Certification/Licensure

• Certified Peer Support Specialist per MDHHS.
• Certified in Whole Health Action Management.
• Must possess a valid U.S motor vehicle operator’s license, and successfully complete motor vehicle record check.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.