Peer Support Specialist - OhioRISE - Field Based (Must live in Ohio)

We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.

Position Summary

The Youth Peer Support Specialist are individuals who have lived experience with mental illness and recovery. They work alongside professional staff as equal colleagues, providing living proof that recovery is possible by serving as living examples of hope that recovery is possible. Peer Specialists have first-hand experience with mental illness and the challenges that come with it. Using personal history and experience with behavioral health challenges, peer specialists guide, coach, and mentor others who are working towards recovery. Peer Support Specialists provide flexible services which are customized to the needs of the individual, including assisting members in setting and attaining short- and long-term goals.

In addition to the above, the Youth Peer Support Specialist focuses on individuals typically between the ages 16-22 to address school challenges, transition into adulthood and provide coaching and supports to support long-term recovery.

Fundamental Components

• Share their personal journey with purpose and positive intent to the youth and young adults that they are supporting.
• Assist and support youth to identify and build community and natural supports.
• Collect and share information about community resources, with a focus on youth and young adult resources.
• Collaborate with and compliment the clinical services team to ensure the member’s needs are addressed using wrap-around like methods.
• Assist the young adult and their caregivers or other support networks in understanding the scope and array of services available to them
• Assist young adult in identifying informal supports
• Supports the Aetna member in achieving his/her recovery goals, reinforces the care plan, adjusting tasks to fit with the members culture, language, and religion, improve access to care, identify health care needs, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.
• Collaborate with young adults to strategize around effective self-advocacy within public systems such as Juvenile Justice, Schools, and Community Mental Health Agencies.
• Participate in weekly supervision/coaching
• Participate in required data collection activities in regard to member notation and tracking.
• Document and submit accurate time, mileage, and expense documentation information within prescribed deadlines.
• Follow all department policies and procedures including timely submission of reports or documentation as required.
• Conduct at least 50% of activities in a community-based setting.
• May be asked to at times to present on topics related to peer support and how they are incorporated into managed care services.

Required Qualifications

**Must live in Ohio**

• Must be willing to travel up to 50% of the time
• Must be located in Ohio
• Requires the ability to travel to multiple office and home locations with personal vehicle (Reliable transportation, valid driver's license and automobile insurance)
• Experience using a computer and strong keyboard navigation skills including the use of MS Office Suite, Word and Excel applications
• Completion of a Youth and Adult Certified Peer Support Training Program from state training agency of employment is required within 90 days from start date.
• Meets Eligibility Criteria: Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have a direct lived experience of mental health and/or substance use issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Motivational interviewing experience
• Training in Trauma-Informed Care and Mental Health First Aid

Education

• High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent experience.

Additional Information:

Each of our peer specialists have a different story, one that includes lived experience, meaning they have in the past personally dealt with major mental health conditions (in-patient or out-patient), substance abuse, and/or other chronic health conditions and are successfully managing their recovery. Having lived experience makes our peer specialists uniquely qualified to assist others in their own recovery journeys because they have "been there." If you have lived experience with a mental health challenge and have been in recovery for one year or more, then you too might be in a position to help others in their recovery from mental illness. Additional background/experience desired: Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, HIPPA, C.L.A.S. Standards, Motivational Interviewing, and specialized training in medical terminology and practices for designated health conditions. Ability to effectively provide support care to socially and medically complex patients in a variety of non-traditional settings. Exceptional communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail required. Ability to work collaboratively in a team and manage multiple priorities, utilizes effective time management skills, and exercise sound judgment. Able to influence medical care providers as needed to adjust interventions based on members cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences.
 

Anticipated Weekly Hours

40

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$18.50 - $35.29

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls.  The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.  This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. 
 

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.

Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 10/31/2026

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.