Peer Recovery Support Specialist– Urgent Recovery Center - Nights

EOE STATMENT

At HOPE, our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the community we serve.  We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

SUMMARY 

The Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) in the Urgent Recovery Center (URC) uses their lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to offer compassionate, real-time support to individuals in crisis.  Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the PRSS builds trust and connection with clients during critical moments, offering hope, reduced stigma, and empowering individuals to engage in their recovery.  This role supports stabilization, reinforces rehabilitation goals, and helps bridge the gap between crisis care and ongoing community-based services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Adheres to agency policy and procedures, as found in agency online SharePoint folder.  Also adheres to CARF and DMHSAS standards and criteria, federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations, and any special funding source requirements including Medicaid and HCA regulations.

Supports and promotes a service environment for individuals in need of behavioral health and/or co-occurring services that are recovery focused, welcoming, and attentive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma in their lives.  Attends annual core competencies training in relationship to individuals with co-occurring disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives.

Use personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to build authentic, supportive relationships with clients in crisis.

Provide peer-based support to individuals during their stay in the Urgent Recovery Center, including active listening, emotional reassurance, and guidance through the initial stages of stabilization.

Collaborate closely with clinical and medical staff to support individualized recovery goals and reinforce person-centered care.

Assist clients in identifying personal strengths, building motivation, and exploring recovery options in a non-judgmental, trauma-informed manner.

Support discharge planning by helping clients understand next steps, identify resources, and make meaningful connections to community-based supports.

Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led recovery discussions, wellness activities, and informal support groups within the URC.

Model positive recovery behaviors and offer hope by sharing appropriate elements of personal recovery journey.

Assist with engagement and re-engagement efforts for individuals who may be hesitant to accept services.

Maintain accurate, timely documentation of services provided in accordance with HOPE policies and regulatory requirements.

Participate in team meetings, shift hand-offs, and training to support integrated, coordinated care.

Uphold ethical guidelines for peer support and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients at all times.

Promote a welcoming, respectful, and recovery-focused environment that honors dignity and individual choice.

Support the overall safety and structure of the URC by remaining present, aware, and responsive to client needs.

Help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment by participating in light housekeeping tasks such as tidying common areas, disinfecting surfaces restocking supplies, sweeping, etc.

Support meal service by plating and distributing meals/snacks to clients

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

·         Must meet ODMHSAS and HOPE’s requirements for Peer Recovery Support Certification (C-PRSS)

·         High School diploma or GED and have demonstrated recovery from a mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or both.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Required to obtain and maintain certification for C-PRSS

Required to complete Therapeutic Options or approved safety training and annual updates.

May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certifications.

In order to provide client transportation in private or agency vehicles, must possess current, valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence and clinical writing/documentation in medical records chart. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to families, clients, and other employees of the organization.

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to seek out supervisory assistance for additional training when needed and make application of techniques or other skills to meet essential job duties and responsibilities.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect authentically with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises.
• Ability to remain calm, grounded, and supportive in high-stress or emotionally charged situations.
• Commitment to trauma-informed care and a nonjudgmental, person-centered approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, urgent care setting.
• Strong sense of empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity toward individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Reliable, dependable, and able to maintain clear boundaries and ethical standards in all client interactions.
• Demonstrates consistent and dependable attendance, recognizing the importance of presence in supporting a 24/7 recovery environment.
• Comfortable navigating conversations around crisis, substance use, mental health, and recovery with sensitivity and respect.
• Basic computer skills and ability to document services accurately and timely in electronic health records.
• Open to feedback, growth, and ongoing training to strengthen skills and uphold HOPE’s mission of recovery and rehabilitation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must have vision enough to read written or typed data.  Must have hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and public in person or by phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.