Peer Support Specialist Sobering Center

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Responsibilities of Peer Specialist are to emphasize the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills needed to move fully engage in recovery. Interventions are built on the unique therapeutic relationship between the Peer Specialist, the individual served, and his or her family unit.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist participants in developing treatment plans.

• Complete regular communication with referral sources/guardians regarding progress, transition planning, and pertinent clinical issues and documentation.

• Participate in staffing to assure continuity of care.

• Make or assist in outside referral of issues not able to be addressed within the treatment milieu.

• Assist in scheduling of treatment and arranging transportation.

• Represent the agency in a professional manner.

• May assist in the referral for medical issues of clients.

• Document all services provided in accordance with appropriate state/CARF standards.

• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.

• Facilitate group education as scheduled.

• Obtain trainings to assist in professional development meeting 36 hours every 2 years

• Certified Peer Specialists use the power of peers to support, encourage, and model recovery and resilience from mental health and substance use disorders in ways that are specific to the needs of each individual.

• Peer support services are individual or group services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus;

• Peer support services promote skills for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms while encouraging the use of natural supports and enhancing community living;

• Peer Support activities assist in achieving goals and objectives set forth by the individual in their individualized treatment or recovery plan;

• Peer Support activities emphasize the opportunity for individuals to support each other as they move forward in their recovery.

• Certified Peer Specialists interventions may include:

• Sharing lived experiences of recovery, sharing and supporting the use of recovery tools and modeling successful recovery behaviors;

• Helping individuals recognize their capacity for resilience;

• Helping individuals to connect with other clients and with their community at large;

• Helping individuals who have mental health and/or substance use disorders develop a network for information and support;

• Assisting individuals who have a mental health and/or substance use disorders to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in their treatment;

• Assisting individuals with identifying strengths and personal resources to aid in their recovery; and

• Helping individuals set and achieve recovery goals.

• A Peer Specialist can assist individuals who have a psychiatric disability to make independent choices and to take a proactive role in their treatment.

• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles and techniques as they relate to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

• Knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders and how to access the various community resources available.

• Knowledge of the methods and modalities as well as the legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental health and substance use disorders.

• Some knowledge of training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorder/mental health treatment setting.

• Proficient at sharing lived experience with others seeking to engage in recovery while maintaining healthy boundaries.

• Capable of communicating ideas clearly and effectively verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.

• Ability to connect clients/patients to recovery resources, including mutual aid support groups, located in communities where we serve.

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• Self-identify as a present or former client of mental health or substance use services OR self identifies as a person in recovery from mental health or substance use disorder.

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Pass background check or request an exception to the findings if/when applicable.

• Complete a state approved training program and if required, pass a standardized examination

• Missouri Only - Complete the application located on the following website at https://mopeerspecialist.com/

• Missouri Only - If required, complete a 5-Day Basic Training Program; following which, the individual must pass a State of Missouri approved certification examination within six months.

Supervisory Requirements:

• None.

Employment Requirements:

• Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.

• Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.

• All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.

• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.

• First Aid certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon

• renewal date.

• Obtain CPR certification within three (3) months of beginning employment and upon renewal date.

• Behavioral Management training completed within thirty (30) days of employment or first available class after start date:

  • CPI for Residential programs

  • Peaceful Intervention or Verbal De-escalation for Outpatient programs

• Achievement of thirty-six (36) hour training requirements within 2-year period in accordance with 9 CSR 10-7.110 E 1.

• Growth and Development form (CPRC only) within thirty (30) days of employment.

• Privileging and Credentialing form (CPRC only) within thirty (30) days of employment.

• Within the first year of employment, receive training on:

  • Signs and symptoms of disability related illnesses

  • Working with families and caretaker of clients receiving services

  • Rights, roles, and responsibilities of client and families

  • Client self-help skills

  • Individual treatment plans

  • Basic principle of assessment

  • Special needs and characteristics

  • Philosophy of community support approach

  • Suicide awareness/precaution

  • Quality assurance

  • Infection control

  • Philosophy, values, and objectives of CPRC

  • Behavioral management/crisis intervention

  • Issues/involuntary hold

Physical Requirements:

ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.