Certified Peer Specialist; Crisis Stabilization

• Job Category Crisis Stabilization, Mental Health, Certified Specialist
• Industry Public and Community Healthcare
• Employee Type Non-Exempt
• Required Degree High school

Contact information

Highland Rivers provides treatment and recovery services to individuals impacted by mental illness; substance use disorders and intellectual developmental disabilities.

The Certified Peer Specialist is a vital part of the team at the Highland Rivers BHCC or CSU. The position involves bringing the "lived experience" to the program and engaging individuals, providing linkage to community resources, assisting with discharge planning and providing direct services and may include sharing one’s own personal journey to encourage and inspire others as they continue on their own recovery journey.

• Facilitate groups and structured activities focusing on self-advocacy, wellness, problem solving, identification and useof community resources, etc, documenting the group activity and individual's response in the electronic health record per policy and procedure.
• Engage and assist individuals in identifying strengths which aid and barriers that impede the recovery process.
• Provide follow up phone contact with individuals re: post discharge referrals for ongoing services.
• Assist individuals with discharge planning to ensure continuity of care upon return to the community.
• Act as a navigator to orient individuals to the Unit upon entry into services.
• Link individuals to programs within the Agency and the community, providing warm transfers where possible.
• Maintain an updated resource listing for community partners and agencies to share with individuals.
• Maintain clinical records in accordance with agency policies including timely completion of documentation and agency required trainings/workshops.
• Participates in the treatment team meetings, educating staff on recovery principles related to the "lived experience", advocating for the individuals.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Health Insurance through the State Health Benefit Plan of GA
• Flexible Benefits such as dental, vision, life, critical illness, etc.
• Retirement Plan with employer matching
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off with increase of accruals based on years of service
• 10 paid holidays
• 1 personal day
• Qualifying employer for Public Student Loan Forgiveness
• NHSC loan forgiveness in qualifying counties.
• Clinical supervision for candidates on a licensure track.

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Georgia Certified Specialist (40 hours of Certified Peer Specialist Training, and successful completion of a certification exam) and eligible to become CARES, WHAM, WRAP trained.
• Must self-identify as a person in recovery from a mental health diagnosis and/or addictive disease.
• 2 years of professional experience in behavioral health or substance use disorder services.
• Criminal background check clearance, official academic transcripts, valid driver's license/, drug screen, TB test, and an eligible 7-year Motor Vehicle Report.

• Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) credential.
• Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) credential.
• Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) credential.
• Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) credential.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly preferred.

Highland Rivers Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, national origin, age sex, religion, or disability.

Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment background investigation and a pre-employment drug screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.

• Days Position Will Work Varied Days:
  Sundays - Saturdays.
• What shift will the Position work? Morning & Evening Shifts Available.