Peer Support Specialist; Modesto Mission​/Merced SHAW

Overview

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) position plays a vital role in promoting a recovery-centered culture within the Medication-Assistant Treatment (MAT) program by modeling hope, empowerment, and self-determination. Provides recovery-oriented support services to individuals participating in the MAT program. Drawing on their own lived experience with substance use and sustained recovery, the PSS offers mentorship, advocacy, and guidance to clients as they work toward recovery goals.

Assists patient engagement with MAT services, strengthen motivation for recovery, and connect to community resources that support long-term wellness.

This position will work at our Modesto Mission and Merced Senior Health and Wellness (SHAW) Clinic. Schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm.

Golden Valley Health Centers offers excellent benefits including Medical: (0 Deductible / $2,000 Individual; $4,000 Family Out-of-Pocket Max), excellent PPO coverages;
Dental;
Vision;
Pet Insurance; 403(b) with match, FSA plans, gym discounts, and so much more!

Compensation: $23.56 - $25.21 an hour

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Build trusting and respectful relationships with patients enrolled in MAT services through shared lived experience and mutual respect.
• Provide peer-based recovery support through individual meetings, group sessions, and outreach activities.
• Assist patients with navigating MAT services, including but not limited to scheduling, medication adherence, and communication with the care team.
• Encourage engagement in and provide referrals to recovery activities, self-help groups, counseling, and community resources.
• Help patients identify personal strengths, set recovery goals, and develop individualized recovery plans.
• Model appropriate coping strategies, self-care practices, and relapse prevention tools.
• Support patients in overcoming barriers to recovery, including transportation, housing, employment, and social supports.
• Promote understanding of MAT as a legitimate and effective pathway to recovery.
• Collaborate with clinical staff, medical providers, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Recovery Services Specialists, case managers, and community partners to coordinate care.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation according to program and state requirements.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and ongoing professional development.

Physical Demands

• Lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels) on rare occasions.
• Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in-person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to clients and staff.
• Must have vision with or without lenses that is adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.

Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, but may at time be noisy and crowded.
• The physical environment requires the employee to work indoors, primarily in a clinical setting.
• Use of general office equipment is required on a daily basis.
• Must be able to travel across all counties which the organization serves.

Education/Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Code of Ethics for Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists
• Ability and willingness to appropriately use lived experience to support participants receiving medication-assisted treatment and recovery services, consistent with applicable peer support standards and ethics.
• Subject to the Company’s drug policy.
• Preferably having 12 months of personal experience in recovery from a substance use disorder, either as an individual receiving services or as a parent, caregiver, or family member of someone with a substance use condition.
• Understanding and acceptance of MAT, e.g., buprenorphine and naltrexone, as a recovery pathway.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of cross county recovery supports services, resources, treatment options, and harm reduction principles.
• Commitment to and understanding of MAT as a pathway to recovery.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction…