Peer Counselor (Core Guide) – Support Individuals with Serious Mental Illness

About the role

firsthand Health is seeking a Peer Counselor, also called a Core Guide, to engage individuals living with serious mental illness (SMI) and support their journey toward whole‑health wellness. The role combines community outreach, care coordination, and trusted peer‑to‑peer support.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct outreach in homes, shelters, hospitals, emergency departments and other community settings.
• Assist individuals with scheduling appointments, attending clinical visits and accessing tele‑health services.
• Build trust, address immediate needs and help clients set and achieve personal recovery goals.
• Serve as the primary point‑of‑contact, using engagement techniques to maintain ongoing connection.
• Facilitate access to benefits, resources, transportation and other social determinants of health.
• Coordinate care, accompany clients to appointments and support post‑discharge needs.
• Document encounters promptly and participate in case reviews and team collaboration.
• Perform telephone outreach and engage in continuous training and professional development.

Required profile

• Lived experience with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
• State Peer Recovery certification (or eligibility to obtain within six months).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a vehicle.
• At least two years of sustained recovery at the time of application.
• Empathy, compassion, strong listening and communication skills.
• Comfort working within a multidisciplinary team and openness to feedback.

Required skills

• Basic proficiency with smartphone and computer technology.
• Ability to use email, messaging services and mobile apps.

What we offer

• Hourly wage of $26 USD.
• Full‑time compensation package including equity, performance bonus potential, health, dental, vision and mental‑wellness coverage.
• 401(k) with company match, 16 weeks paid parental leave, and generous vacation accrual.
• Paid training period with assessments before client work.