Peer Support Specialist- SMI No or Weekends

Position: Peer Support Specialist- SMI No Holidays or Weekends!

Peer Support Specialist – SMI (No Holidays or Weekends)

Join New Vista KY as a Peer Support Specialist. This role requires a professional who has lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges and is able to leverage that experience to support clients in their recovery journey.

Required

Education and Experience

• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• Demonstrated one year of recovery involvement.
• Currently certified in good standing as a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist, or must complete a state‑approved certification program within three months of hire.
• History of mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis and treatment.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of current auto insurance.

Preferred

Education and Experience

• One‑year experience providing peer support services.
• Experience working with pregnant and postpartum women in Residential Substance Use Peer Support positions.
• Knowledge of medication‑assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in Substance Use and Residential Substance Use Peer Support positions.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Peer Support

• Serve as an active member of the treatment team.
• Advocate for services requested by the individual.
• Assist in cultivating the individual’s ability to make informed, independent choices, set goals, and gain community support.
• Plan activities that improve self‑concept through empowerment and self‑determination opportunities.
• Act as a teacher and role model of behavioral health recovery; assist with development of effective communication skills with providers.
• Assist in developing Wellness Recovery Action Plans and/or Advance Directives for Mental Health Treatment to avoid hospitalization.
• Support individuals in maintaining stable housing and employment, if desired.
• Provide support and encouragement, sharing personal recovery stories and teaching coping techniques and self‑help strategies.
• Document strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, interventions, and progress in the Person‑Centered Recovery Plan.
• Travel to community partner sites to meet with individuals referred into programs with the intent to obtain early engagement.

Collaboration and Communication

• Actively participate in team meetings and treatment planning opportunities to assist clients in attaining recovery goals.
• Serve as liaison between the individual and recovery team members.
• Inform the treatment team of any issues or concerns related to client progress.
• Increase awareness and support for client participation in consumer self‑help programs and advocacy organizations.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate, thorough documentation on all assigned cases.
• Submit documentation within required time frames.

Drop‑In Center (If applicable)

• Ensure the Drop‑In Center provides appropriate accommodations such as coffee, snacks, and a pleasant environment.
• Respond to consumers by triaging needs and making referrals to appropriate services within New Vista or outside providers.
• Coordinate with SMI leadership to ensure coverage of the Drop‑In Center during hours of operation.

Emergency Services / Crisis Response & Urgent Care (if applicable)

• Operate as a member of the Mobile Crisis, Behavioral Health Urgent Care, and Critical Evaluation Teams.
• Respond promptly to crisis events, assessments, consultations, or episodes of care in various settings.
• Work with state psychiatric hospital staff to facilitate tele‑health evaluations and connect clients to services.
• Collaborate with community partners (first responders, court system, hospital ERs) and New Vista treatment team for crisis response and stabilization.
• Track and provide data elements and other relevant information about client care as requested.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

New Vista prohibits discrimination and harassment against any applicant, employee or contractor based on sex, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, working conditions, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, wage and salary administration, employee benefits and training.

It is also the company’s policy to prohibit all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, encouraged another to complain, participated in an investigation of such complaints, or opposed unlawful discrimination.

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