Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) – Draper, Utah- Part Time

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.   

The Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) provides recovery-oriented support services to individuals with mental health and/or substance use challenges. Drawing from personal lived experience and recovery, the CPSS offers hope, encouragement, and guidance to help others navigate their own recovery journeys. This role is grounded in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Peer Support & Mentorship:
• Share personal recovery experiences to inspire hope and model recovery
• Build supportive relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual empowerment
• Assist individuals in identifying strengths, setting goals, and developing recovery plans
• Advocacy & Navigation:
• Help individuals access community resources, treatment services, and support networks
• Advocate for client needs within healthcare, housing, employment, and legal systems
• Support individuals in understanding their rights and making informed choices
• Documentation & Collaboration:
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services provided
• Collaborate with clinical teams, case managers, and other service providers
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing training
• Use his/her own recovery experience and training to assist families and members with defining their recovery goals, and developing the skills and knowledge needed for the member’s recovery
• Support the creation and assist with the implementation of comprehensive training and education programs with peers, families, providers and staff as requested
• Establish and maintain solid collaborative relationships with existing organizations, to support our members’ needs
• Communicate benefit information to members and consumer-operated organizations and with families and family organizations
• As directed, serve as a designated member of Internal subcommittees
• Enable effective communication with members and their families about aspects of the Mental Healthcare Delivery system as well as their rights and responsibilities
• Provide support to members or family members in connecting to appropriate services
• Work across teams to implement intensive, enhanced care coordination when requested, which may include peer support as well as other community-based services
• Be available to provide support to members being discharged from higher levels of care or to refer them to a support group
• Assist and support members and family members with grievance processes
• Collaborate with clinical team, providers, and community agencies and organizations to facilitate access to and transition between services
• Collaborate with clinical team, providers, and community agencies and organizations to identify members who may benefit from peer support
• Respond to concerns and questions from members and families
• Participate in treatment planning with members and families who request that support
• Work with community agencies along with and/or on behalf of members and families
• Provide feedback about treatment planning development based on their interactions with other members and families
• Advocate on behalf of the members and families
• Provide peer support to members and family members at critical points in their treatment process
• Serve as liaison between Optum and those who use services
• Extensive work experience within own function
• Work is frequently completed without established procedures
• Works independently
• May act as a resource for others
• May coordinate others’ activities

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Active and current Certification as a Peer Support Specialist (state-recognized)
• Current and non-restricted Driver’s License and State-required insurance, with reliable transportation
• 2+ years of working experience as a Certified Peer Support Specialist
• 2+ years of working knowledge of community resources
• 1+ years of working experience as a trainer
• Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery
• Basic (or higher) level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Demonstrated solid communication, listening, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of recovery and resiliency
• Proven ability to facilitate training events

Preferred Qualifications:

• MHFA trainer certification
• 2+ years of working experience as a trainer
• Working knowledge of the Medicaid system
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented systems of care

The hourly range for this role is $19.86 to $38.85 per hour based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. 

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.   

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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