Peer Recovery Specialist, Forensic Services

Peer Recovery Specialist, Forensic Services Company Summary

At Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
, Hope is Spoken Here. Our mission is to provide quality, community-based services that prevent and address mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.

We put people first-ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and respect while providing flexible, affordable, and timely services.

Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve as a Peer Recovery Specialist.

As a Peer Recovery Specialist
, funded by the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA), you will serve as a vital team member providing expertise in the recovery process, symptom management, and persistence. This role embeds peer recovery specialists into various healthcare and community settings to help adults with substance use disorders (with or without a co-occurring mental illness) successfully transition into and remain in treatment.

This specific position works across an interdisciplinary landscape including Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) outpatient programs, regional adult detention centers (Roanoke City, Roanoke County), Therapeutic dockets, and Recovery Court.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $38,563.20 to $40,705.60. Actual compensation offered within this range will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities), geographic location, complexity of role, and other relevant business considerations. We kindly ask that candidates do not discuss compensation until after an offer of employment is extended.

• Knowledge &
  
  Skills:
  
  
  • Lived
    
    Experience:
    
    Must have personally experienced a substance use disorder, been a recipient of treatment services, achieved a minimum of one (1) year of sustained recovery from alcohol and other drugs, and possess a personal history of working a 12-step recovery program. Must be willing to authentically share your recovery journey with clients.
  • Interpersonal & Clinical Understanding:
    Demonstrated ability to build trusting, supportive relationships with individuals facing severe/persistent mental illness and substance disorders. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and local community resource mapping.
  • Direct Service & Group Facilitation: Provide face-to-face services individually or in groups to introduce recovery concepts, offer encouragement, share personal experiences, and provide peer counseling.
  • Continuity of Care: Act as a warm-handoff liaison between treatment programs, regional jail sites, and community resources. Provide crisis intervention support under the clinical supervision of staff.
  • Documentation: Utilize the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to timely and accurately enter case notes, progress assessments, and necessary clinical reports.
  • Software & Databases:
    Navigate various internal and external databases to safely access client information, track milestones, and compile program metrics.
  • Field-Based Mobility:
    Routinely travel to local jails, community resource hubs, and alternative BRBH program sites to maintain a strong face-to-face service presence.
  • Cultural Competence:
    Ability to recognize and adjust peer services to respect cultural, ethnic, and individual client preferences.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Licenses/Certifications: Completion of certification of Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred. Required to obtain this certification and register with the Board of Counseling within one year of beginning employment.
• Background Check: Fingerprints, State and FBI criminal record reports, drug test, and central registry report will be required upon selection.
• Safe Driving Record: This position requires transporting clients or driving agency vehicles. Candidates must have a good driving record, which is defined as no more than two moving violations in the last three years and no criminal moving violations in the last five years.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use of hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, controls and reach with arms and hands. The employee frequently lifts and or moves up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Will be required to drive for meetings and/or visits to…