MultiCare Health System·Lakewood, Washington
Provide peer-based support and guidance to patients with severe mental illnesses to promote recovery and empowerment. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to assist clients with housing, employment, and self-advocacy in community settings.
Join a team that shares your calling At MultiCare, you’re more than just a job title — you’re part of a team built on trust that cares for each other, our patients and our communities. Belonging here means living our mission and values every day. If your purpose and passions align with ours, you’ll find a place to grow, do meaningful work and build a career you love in a community that feels like home. FTE: 1.0, Shift: Day, Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm This is an Outreach Peer Specialist role, and the work is conducted in the community with a team.
The Peer Specialist is a key multidisciplinary team position at MultiCare. Providing peer viewpoints about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients with severe and persistent mental illnesses to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you will collaborate to promote a team culture of respect, empathy and understanding.
You will assist clients in a wide range of services to regain control and success in their own lives, such as developing supportive relationships, self-advocacy, stable housing, education, and employment. You will provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate patients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to patients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own healthcare and wellness. You will serve as a mentor to patients to promote hope and empowerment. You will provide consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning patients’ experiences on symptoms of mental illness, responses to and opinions of treatment, and experiences of recovery. You will assist in the provision of direct clinical services to patients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings to teach symptom/behavior-management techniques, support skill-building, and to strengthen skills to cope with internal and external stresses. You will encourage consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
High school diploma preferred OR two years paid or volunteer work experience with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnessesSuccessful completion of assigned training Employees hired after November 1, 2025 must have an active Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) at time of hire. Current employees must obtain Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification within one (1) year of hire but no later than 12/31/2026. Employees hired before November 1, 2025 may hold the CPSST credential while working towards obtaining their CPSS but no later than 6/30/2027 Washington State Counselor Agency Affiliated Registered (ACCR) credential must be applied for within thirty (30) days of hire. Employees may work while the application is pending for up to one hundred twenty (120) days BLS Certification and First Aid card due within 30 days of hire Experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental health illness About Greater Lakes Mental Health Greater Lakes Mental Health is part of MultiCare’s Behavioral Health Network, serving more than 10,000 individuals across Pierce County each year. Providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment for adults, children and families with Medicaid coverage, Greater Lakes operates six convenient locations, including a 16-bed inpatient facility for voluntary and involuntary care. With experienced teams and robust training, caregivers help deliver recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care. Why MultiCare? Rooted in the local community Partnering with patients, families and neighbors across the Pacific Northwest for more than 140 years. Growth and education Competitive tuition assistance, award-winning residencies, fellowships and career development to invest in you. Well-being and support Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared in your work and life. Living our values Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other. Belonging for all Resource Groups and outreach programs help ensure every team member feels safe, seen, heard and valued. Pacific Northwest lifestyle Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life. Pay and Benefit Expectations We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $24.83 - $35.71 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align. Associated benefit information can be viewed here.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.