Peer Support Assistant

Peer Support Assistant

Primary City/State: Tucson, Arizona

Department Name: Emergency Ctr-Hosp

Work Shift: Evening

Job Category: Clinical Care

Health care is constantly changing, and at Banner Health, we are at the front of that change. We are leading health care to make the experience the best it can be. We want to change the lives of those in our care and the people who choose to take on this challenge. If changing health care for the better sounds like something you want to be part of, we want to hear from you.

Banner University Medical Center Tucson was named by U.S. News & World Report as a 2025-2026 Best Regional Hospital, earning the No.1 spot in Tucson and No. 4 in Arizona. It is nationally ranked in adult specialty for ear, nose & throat at No. 45.

The Peer Support Assistant, supports the smooth, timely, and coordinated client transition from hospital care to alternative levels of care including but not limited to post-acute settings, community services, or physician offices as directed by the care coordination team.

Schedule: M-F 11:00am-8pm, FULL TIME

Your pay and benefits (Total Rewards) are important components of your Journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is nationally recognized for providing exceptional patient care, teaching future health-care professionals and conducting groundbreaking research. Also located on the campus is Diamond Children's - recognized for its specialized pediatric services including neonatal and intensive care, emergency medicine and cancer therapies. Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is a Level 1 Trauma Center, meaning we care for the most critically injured patients. The hospital is consistently listed among the nation's top hospitals in the prestigious Best Hospitals ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The academic medical center has earned Magnet Recognition becoming the only hospital in southern Arizona to meet the rigorous standards of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program for nursing excellence. The hospital's physicians are full-time faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. Our specialty services include comprehensive heart and cancer care, advanced neuroscience techniques and a multi-organ transplant program.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the smooth, timely, and coordinated client transition from hospital care to alternative levels of care including but not limited to post-acute settings, community services, or physician offices as directed by the care coordination team. This position assists patients to enhance their recovery and help promote client wellness and self-direction in the community. This position advocates for and obtains necessary program support and services for patients to provide timely interventions, address unmet needs, and reduce the risk of hospitalizations and/or crisis situations. This position will also provide support to patients to effectively navigate the behavioral health system and assist in providing skills training and personal assistance to empower patients.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Works with the patient to coordinate transition out of a care setting in order to obtain appropriate services and benefits as directed by the care coordination team. This may include assisting patients in accessing and maintaining needed services in order to support patients' community integration efforts and individual treatment plan, entering and tracking referrals, arranging transportation, making and confirming follow-up appointments, obtaining medication lists, test results, and other patient related duties as designated.

2. Relates own recovery process in a positive and supportive manner through coaching and role modeling to assist patients in skill development.

3. Performs transfer of accurate, pertinent patient information between all appropriate entities of the acute and post-acute care continuum. Performs follow-up calls to patients and providers regarding their experience with Banner; documenting findings and reporting any concerns or dissatisfaction to leadership for follow-up, issue resolution and data collection.

4. Attends and participates in team meetings, clinical staffing (as needed), court hearings, and other meetings relevant to meeting the treatment needs of patients.

5. Completes progress notes, other patient record documents and writes comprehensive and timely reports in accordance with Banner policy and funding source guidelines.

6. May help coordinate and lead support groups and activities that help to improve life skills, social skills, and teach behavior management cues in group settings or individually as assigned.

7. Works with patient and in some cases family, clinical team, and others in order to identify unmet needs and necessary community or family support, programs and services. May enhance the individualized treatment plan based on patient's needs, cultural preferences, circumstances, and diagnosis. Helps patients to navigate community resources.

8. Completes all required training by Banner Health or as requested by supervisor and participates in individual and team clinical supervision.

9. Works under general supervision of a Banner Health manager or supervisor. Confers with supervisor on any unusual situations. Internal customers: All levels of nursing staff and other staff, medical staff, and all other members of assigned facility interdisciplinary behavioral health care team. External customers: behavioral health agencies, insurance providers, Behavioral Health Inpatient Facilities, Behavioral Health Residential Facilities Intervention Crisis Response Center, law enforcement, volunteer agencies, county/governmental agencies and others as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma/GED or equivalent working knowledge.

Requires current Peer Support Specialist, Peer Recovery Support Specialist, or Recovery Support Specialist Certification.

Familiar with behavioral health community resources and is able to appropriately interact with individuals who have a range of mental disorders.

Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral, and BUMG, BUMCT, or BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and at least one year of full time behavioral health experience or has an Associate's degree and at least two years of full time behavioral health work experience preferred. Additional related education and/or experience preferred.