Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist – Macomb Region, Behavioral Health Services Program

Reports to:

Program Manager | Status:
Full Time | FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt/Hourly

Judson Center’s behavioral health services offer substance abuse therapy and co‑occurring services for those with a mental illness. A recovery‑oriented model is utilized. The model includes a peer support specialist who works with the team to mentor and remove barriers to successful treatment for the client. Clients are referred from Macomb County Community Mental Health, DHS, and private insurance companies.

The primary responsibility of a Peer Support Specialist is to mentor and work with the client to remove barriers to successful treatment recovery. The Peer Support Specialist will work with the consumer and treatment team in deciding what their role in the client’s recovery will be.

• Complete the first part of the intake with clients
• Work with therapists in group therapy sessions
• Lead support groups
• Make phone calls to remind clients of their appointments with the therapists and psychiatrist and help to get them to their appointments if necessary
• Call clients who missed appointments to try and engage them back to therapy
• Serve as a liaison to find and help access resources and other social service agencies for the client
• Assist others with similar experiences by sharing personal recovery stories and empowering individuals to work toward their own life goals
• Teach goal setting, problem solving and symptom management skills

• Organizational skills, good verbal and written communication
• Ability to work in a team
• Cultural competence
• Knowledge and personal understanding of addiction and recovery
• Has been in recovery for at least 1 year
• Computer skills

• Must complete the state‑mandated training and be certified to deliver services
• Valid Michigan Driver’s License, appropriate insurance, and use of own vehicle
• Must be in sustained recovery for at least 3 years
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting recovery through mentorship, removing obstacles and barriers to recovery, assisting individuals in their recovery journey in the community, and accept that there are many paths an individual can take to recovery
• Needs to follow the peer support specialist code of ethics

Job requires non‑traditional work hours, in the office and community. Job requires a flexible schedule. Job includes working with consumers who may show aggression or have behavioral outbursts.

• The Peer Support Specialist must be under the supervision of a limited or fully licensed professional.
• The Peer Support Specialist must comply with all applicable licensing rules, accreditation standards, code of ethics, federal Medicaid regulations and policies, and Judson Center’s policies and procedures.
• All Peer Support Specialists must be trained and certified by the State of Michigan.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of a person so classified. The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and perform other duties as assigned for the good of the consumers, the program, the department and the agency.