Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Title: Peer Specialist

Location: Sedalia, MO

Department: Adult Community Services

Employment Type: Full-time

The Peer Specialist has the responsibility of emphasizing the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills to enable individuals to fully engage in their recovery journey. The interventions they provide are based on the therapeutic relationship they build with the individual and their family. As part of the team, the Peer Specialist helps clients develop essential skills, access recovery tools and community support, and motivates them to achieve and maintain recovery.

• 29 Days of PTO
• Competitive Pay
• Eligibility for HRSA Loan Repayment
  * eligibility requirements
• Employee benefits package - health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more**
• Competitive 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan – up to 5% match for Part-Time and Full-Time employees
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• Emergency Medical Leave Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts – healthcare and dependent child-care
• Health & Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discount Program
• Mileage Reimbursement

• Collaborate with individuals to develop personalized treatment plans that address their specific needs.
• Maintain regular communication with referral sources and guardians to discuss progress, transition planning, and relevant clinical matters.
• Participate in meetings to ensure continuity of care for individuals.
• Assist in researching and referring individuals to outside resources when necessary.
• Schedule treatment appointments and provide transportation to and from Recovery Support Services and community-based services.
• Accompany clients to appointments when permitted, representing the agency professionally.
• Support clients in accessing medical services and document all services in accordance with state and CARF standards.
• Offer crisis intervention and facilitate group education sessions as scheduled.
• Pursue professional development through training to meet required hours every two years.
• Utilize peer support to foster recovery and resilience in individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Help individuals build connections with others, their overall community, and Recovery Supports within their community (transportation of clients may be required).
• Assist individuals in accessing information and support for mental health and substance use disorders.
• Support individuals in making independent choices and taking an active role in their treatment.
• Help individuals identify their strengths and resources for recovery.
• Assist individuals in setting and achieving recovery goals through mentoring, advocacy, and coaching.
• Provide emotional, informational, and instructional support to help clients feel connected and develop recovery skills.
• Encourage clients to live a healthy, productive, and sober lifestyle during and after their time in the facility.
• Aid participants in creating personal treatment plans to actively engage in their own recovery.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality standards of the facility.
• Show interest in the long-term and short-term goals of the company.

• Ability to offer personal, unique knowledge and experiences of recovery while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to share recovery skills that have worked and help the client identify skills that will work for them.
• Ability to serve as a source of hope for the client by demonstrating the ability to maintain recovery.
• Knowledge of basic case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques related to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledgeable about the challenges faced by individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access various community resources available.
• Familiarity with methods, modalities, legal requirements, and court procedures associated with treating mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorder/mental health treatment setting is desired.
• Capable of effectively communicating ideas verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.
• Ability to connect clients/patients to recovery resources, including mutual aid support groups, in the communities they serve.
• General knowledge of computers.

• Must be willing to self-identify as a present or former client of mental health and/or substance use services or as a person in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder. Evidence of a sponsor and participation in a 12-step program may be required.
• Requires one year of direct and personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services.
• Able to complete a state-approved Certified Peer Support training program and other required trainings within six months of employment.
• Exceptions to qualifications may be made by appropriate Leadership.