Certified Peer Support Specialist

Definition of Position:
Under the direct supervision of the administrator and the clinical director, peer support counselors are staff, who have lived experience of substance abuse or addictions. The cornerstone to this position of recovery support is that they have lived an experience that is deeply valued by some clients in recovery and addiction treatment. The long term treatment outcomes are sometimes improved when people have help linking to community based recovery supports.

The Peer and recovery support staff provide outreach and engagement with the clients that offers an introduction to recovery, and some hope, for people that strive to be in recovery, but may not know how to achieve this without the added support of the peer specialist. Primary focus is to guide people through the difficult adjustments and challenges that recovery may bring to the client.

The peer specialist will work directly with counselors, therapist and any other team member that may be a part of the clients treatment, making sure to deliver clinical and supportive services as dictated by the agency. The Peer Specialist is expected to integrate skills, concepts and recovery models that are in line with certification.

Desirable Experience , Education and Qualifications

Minimum High School Diploma/ GED and relevant work/life experiences
Minimum Two years' experience working with individuals experiencing substance abuse or mental health conditions.
Certification as a National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist
Position requires provider to have past experience in one or more of the following areas: substance use disorder treatment and sustained recovery, mental health treatment and sustained recovery, and or past department of correction offenses that are now resolved.
Ability to exercise independent judgement while representing the agency and providing service.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Continuous attendance of trainings to remain up to date with the latest education for Behavioral Health Services.
Knowledge of 12-step, SMART Recovery, and Celebrate Recovery Programs.

Performance of Knowledge

General knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of substance abuse counseling and education, facilities, programs, and related resources available for rehabilitation, education and training of substance abusers, policies and procedures pertaining to legal, medical, and mental health programs, leadership and decision making skills, federal and state alcohol and drug abuse laws, rules and regulations, illegal substances, drug classifications and psychiatric medications used to treat abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, concepts principles and techniques used in screening, assessment and evaluation of abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, counseling and treatment of substance abusers in group and individual settings, ASAM levels of service and treatment and the current edition of the DSM, psychological and physiological effects of and evaluation of abusers of alcohol and/or drugs, the purpose of rapport building, the management, stages of change and readiness for treatment.

Performance Skills

Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication, establishing a therapeutic relationship individually and group settings administering screening instruments, generally screen for physical and mental health status, gathering relevant information and collecting data, writing accurately, concisely, and legible, intervening appropriately with a client who may be intoxicated, assessing suicide and/or violence potential, determine and confirming effects of substance use on the client, assessing client readiness for treatment, making appropriate…