Mental Health Peer Specialist

Bluebonnet Trails Community Services; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluebonnet Trails Community Services seeks a Mental Health Peer Specialist to support individuals transitioning from Bastrop State Hospital Stepdown Home to community living. The role uses lived experience to foster recovery, develop routines, and connect clients with services.

It is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week onsite position with hours Monday through Friday. The specialist collaborates with case managers, nurses, counselors, and community partners, maintaining documentation, and

Qualifications

• Lived experience with a mental health condition and the ability to use that experience to support others in recovery.
• Current Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) certification, including required supervised experience.
• High school diploma or GED and at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to engage individuals with significant mental health needs, maintain professional boundaries, respond calmly during distress, and work with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to write clear, accurate service notes and use an electronic health record.
• Ability to work onsite and in the community.
• Ability to meet background check and BTCS employment requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing and following their person-centered recovery plans and connecting them with internal services and community supports.
• Coordinate with the treatment team during transitions in care and changes in peer support needs, advocating for individuals' goals and preferences.
• Record required service details and complete documentation within 24 hours of service delivery per BTCS, contract, and billing requirements.
• Protect confidential information and communicate with individuals served, families, staff, and community partners per privacy rules.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication skills

Professional boundaries

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services

24 credit hours in Human Services field

Texas MHPS certification

Tools

Electronic Health Record

Job description

The Mental Health Peer Specialist uses lived experience and peer support skills to help individuals identify and work toward their own needs, preferences, and recovery goals. This full-time position primarily supports individuals at the Bastrop State Hospital Stepdown Home as they transition from a higher level of care to community living. The specialist builds trust, promotes hope and independence, and helps individuals develop recovery skills, daily routines, and community connections.

The specialist also provides peer services through BTCSs outpatient mental health programs for individuals experiencing struggles with their mental health. Through trusting relationships and appropriate use of lived experience, the specialist helps individuals identify their own recovery goals, engage in services, strengthen coping and wellness skills, and connect with supports that matter to them.

The specialist facilitates individual and group services, which may include peer support, person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Seeking Safety, and Recovery Dialogue, as appropriate to the individuals goals and the specialists training. The specialist completes timely, accurate documentation of services in the electronic health record, including documentation required to support billing when applicable.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, the specialist works closely with case managers, nursing staff, counselors, management, and community partners to support continuity of care. The role requires strong communication skills, the ability to respond calmly to individuals experiencing distress, sound professional boundaries, and participation in team meetings, peer supervision, and training. The specialist may also assist with program development and special projects.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week onsite position with flexible hours Monday through Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• Support individuals in developing and following their person-centered recovery plans, including connecting them with internal services, community resources, and other supports they choose.
• Coordinate with the treatment team during transitions in care and changes in peer support needs, while advocating for each individuals stated goals and preferences.
• Record required service details, including start and stop times, encounter type, and the support provided. Complete and approve documentation within 24 hours of service delivery in accordance with BTCS, contract, and billing requirements.
• Protect confidential information and communicate with individuals served, families when appropriate, staff, and community partners in accordance with privacy requirements.

Maintain required certifications and complete assigned training. Participate in quality improvement activities and provide team coverage as assigned within the peer specialist role.

Location: Bastrop State Hospital Stepdown

Hourly Salary Range: $17.30 - $21.05

Differential Detail

• $1.00 per hour - 2 years previous experience
• $1.00 per hour - 2 year BTCS Tenure
• $0.75 hour - Bilingual
• $1.00 per hour - Career Ladder Specialty

Join our dynamic and enthusiastic Team dedicated to continuously improving the health and independence of the persons we serve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and at least 18 years of age.
• Lived experience with a mental health condition and the ability to use that experience appropriately to support others in recovery.
• Current Texas Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) certification, including initial certification with required supervised experience.
• Ability to engage individuals with significant mental health needs, maintain professional boun aries, respond calmly during distress, and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to write clear, accurate service notes and use an electronic health record.
• Ability to work onsite and in the community.
• Ability to meet background check and BTCS employment requirements.
• The ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, recovery-oriented environment, with a proven ability to build meaningful connections with individuals served.
• A valid Texas drivers license is required, along with the ability to maintain approved driver status throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 months experience in community behavioral health setting.
• Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) certification.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is highly valued.
• Bachelors degree in human services field. Candidates whose degree is not in Human Services must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours in a human services-related field.