Job Description

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:

November 3, 2025

Agency Information:

Osawatomie State Hospital

About the Position

Who can apply: Anyone

Classified/Unclassified Service: Classified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00AM-4:30PM

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Search Keywords: Peer Support, Peer counseling, Volunteer Services

Compensation: $16.56

TEMPORARY additional differential of $2.50/hr for all hours worked.

Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.*

Osawatomie State Hospital is licensed by the State of Kansas to provide care and treatment for adults diagnosed with psychiatric disorders regardless of ability to pay. There are currently two hospitals on the Osawatomie campus in Miami county: Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) and Adair Acute Care (AAC). Adair Acute Care are a 60-bed facility, certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

All employees are expected to work in a harmonious and cooperative fashion with other staff to provide efficient and effective customer service: to use free time as available to assist other staff in the completion of work assignments and perform other tasks as needed; to contribute to a positive work environment through a positive, helpful, courteous demeanor towards staff, customers and the general public; and to adhere to appropriate standards of conduct regarding the use of leave, reports to work on time and in the designated fashion.

The purpose of the Peer Support Specialist is to meet with patients individually, either as scheduled appointments or drop in visits. They will hold group meetings with patients, with the focus being support groups or educational groups. Provide information regarding services available in and out of the hospital. Actively listen to the patients and accurately share their concerns with the treatment team. Will document services provided to patients with regard to the applicable goal in their treatment plans. Will also maintain patient grievance and rights documentation per hospital policy and procedures.

The essential functions of this position may require physical strength to frequently push, pull, twist, bend, squat, walk, stand for extended periods of time, lift and/or restrain residents with or without assistance and respond to aggressive resident behavior with specific, trained techniques. Be able to observe and respond to residents in distress.

Osawatomie State Hospital Adair Acute Care is funded in part by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is subject to requirements bestowed by Federal and State levels of government conditions of participation.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist is to meet with patients individually, either as scheduled appointments or drop in visits. They will hold group meetings with patients, with the focus being support groups or educational groups. Provide information regarding services available in and out of the hospital. Actively listen to the patients and accurately share their concerns with the treatment team. Will document services provided to patients with regard to the applicable goal in their treatment plans. Will also maintain patient grievance and rights documentation per hospital policy and procedures.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Hold group meetings with patients. Document services provided. Provide information and coordination of services with CRO representative. Seek out community resources to be made available for patients & staff. Help raise awareness for hospital patients. Follow through with patient request/grievance and assure they are informed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of experience in general office, clerical, and administrative support work.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Margarita Ashley

Email: OSH.HR@ks.gov

Phone: 913-755-7333

Job Application Process

First Sign in or register as a New User.

Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.

Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.

Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

Email - sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page

Notifications - view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov

: "How to Apply for a Job - Instructions" and "How to Search for a Job - Instructions"

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the

STAR Program

Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information...

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts


DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran's Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

Helpful Resources at

jobs.ks.gov

: "How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents"

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate:

A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.


If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran's Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.


Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE

: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should

not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:


ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.


If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.