Job Description
Scheduled Hours
20
Position Summary
While under the supervision of Hermann Center for Child and Family Development Perinatal Behavioral Health Service Clinical Leader and clinical staff, the Peer Support Specialist uses lived experience to facilitate support and interventions for pregnant and postpartum families, guiding the development of a mental wellness plan, and coaching participants on strategies for improved mental and physical health during pregnancy and up to a year postpartum.
Will serve as a member of a multidisciplinary team (therapists, social workers, nurses, OBGYNs, psychiatrists, and community) providing services in Barnes OBGYN Women’s Health Center, the community, and other clinical settings. The Peer Support Specialist uses lived experiences to help engage with moms/birthing persons by supporting them through the intake and enrollment process, and observes and documents client responses to interventions.
Diversity is a core value at Washington University School of Medicine and in the Department of Psychiatry. We are committed to building and sustaining inclusive and equitable working and learning environments for all students, staff, trainees, and faculty. We believe that building a diverse team enriches us individually and as a department by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. In order to achieve these objectives, candidates are expected to align with the school's mission of promoting inclusive excellence. They should be prepared to further this objective within Washington University and collaborate with diverse communities of students, faculty, staff, trainees, and patients. Visit our Websites to learn more about DEI initiatives in the Department of Psychiatry ( and at WUSM (
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Conduct appropriate assessments and perform interventions and supportive activities to assist moms/birthing person meet care goals.
- Develop a positive, non-judgmental relationship with each mother/birthing person, modeling appropriate behavior while acting as a role model for them.
- Facilitate the wraparound process and linkage to community resources.
- Start and run mutual support and education groups.
- Provide information about skills related to health, wellness, and recovery to patients and helps manage crises by both advocating for patients and teaching patients how to advocate for themselves.
- Monitor and document progress in electronic medical chart and research data system.
- Facilitate presentations to community groups or other agencies regarding local resources, services, and maternal mental health activities.
- Transport moms/birthing persons to activities related to her care goals within program guidelines, including recreational, educational, and other activities promoting a mother/birthing person collective wellness.
- Participate in functions as part of the Perinatal Behavioral Health Service and Hermann Center (e.g., staff development, staff meetings, supervision, clinical case discussions etc.).
- All other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or combination of education and/or experience.
Certifications:
The list below may include all acceptable certifications and issuers. More than one credential or certification may be required depending on the role.
Basic Life Support - American Heart Association, Basic Life Support - American Red Cross, Basic Life Support - CPR St Louis
Work Experience:
Administrative Or Research (2 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Required Qualifications
- BLS certification must be obtained within one month of hire date.
- Basic Life Support certification (Online BLS certifications, those without a skills assessment component, are not sufficient to meet the BLS requirements).
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) state credential or meet the required qualifications to obtain within 6 months of hire.
- Possess lived experience that matches perinatal population with mental health conditions.
- Experience, education, and/or training in perinatal populations, such as Postpartum Support International, State Peer Specialist Maternal Mental Health add-on training, maternity transitional living homes, home visiting, parenting coach, etc.
- Some knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with perinatal mood and anxiety conditions and/or substance abuse disorders and how to access the various community resources available.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Associate degree
Certifications:
No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
Anxiety Disorders, Case Management, Community Care, Goal Setting, Interpersonal Communication, Mental Health Care, Oral Communications, Organizing, Perinatal Health, Postpartum Care, Presenting to Groups, Support Groups, Written Communication
Grade
C07-H
Salary Range
$19.21 - $28.85 / Hourly
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at to view a summary of benefits.
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Full time, Traineeship, Work experience placement, Local area,