Seeking new medical and clinical staff for Peer Support

If you care about your colleagues, join us!

The Salem Health Peer Support Team needs more medical and clinical staff to volunteer as Peer Supporters. The team, launched in 2018, provides 24-hour care to staff and physicians at our hospitals and clinics.

Peer Supporters are on-call one week each quarter to support their peers in need through telephone and in-person contact.

Those who seek out Peer Support may:

• Have experienced an adverse event in the workplace.
• Need an empathetic ear from a colleague.
• Wish to understand the types of crisis services and support are available.
• Be seeking assurance that what they are experiencing is a normal reaction.

We are seeking medical and clinical staff who are skilled and empathetic listeners and who care about improving the wellbeing of their colleagues.

Peer Supporter expectations

By choosing to apply, you acknowledge and understand the following expectations:

• 100% voluntary participation.
• Attend initial training session at Salem Health led by Sue Scott, PhD, RN, CPPS, FAAN, from the University of Missouri Health Care, who launched the forYOU Peer Support Program in 2009, a highly regarded, national model for hospital-based support.
• Participate in 75% of team meetings per year. Team meets quarterly for one hour.
• Be available during your self-scheduled on-call assignment (one continuous week per quarter).
• Serve as a peer supporter for at least one year.
• Maintain 100% confidentiality - Any breach of confidentiality will result in immediate removal of the individual from the team.

Qualifications

Anyone employed by Salem Health or credentialed through the Medical Staff with the following personal characteristics:

• Respect and trust of peers
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Emotional maturity and intelligence, empathetic, non-judgmental, compassionate
• Cultural competence and humility
• Accessible for Peer Support team activities

If this sounds like an opportunity that fits your skillset, please contact the following for more information: 

Credentialed providers: Contact Talia Seabold at Talia.Seabold@salemhealth.org and your request will be approved by Medical Executive Committee Officers.

Nursing staff: Contact Talia.Seabold@salemhealth.org for an application to be approved by nursing leadership. If you have any questions, please contact Talia Seabold at 503-814-3893.