Peer Recovery Specialist, 23 Hour

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 38,563 - 40,705; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off policy (21 days annually)

10 paid holidays

Team atmosphere

Job summary

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare is seeking a full-time Peer Recovery Specialist in Roanoke, VA. This role supports individuals in crisis, implementing a program that fosters recovery and wellbeing through peer counseling.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in recovery, a high school diploma or GED, and preferred certification as a Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist. Join us and help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of recovery and lived experience with mental illness or substance use disorder.
• Experience working directly in a service-oriented field.
• Certification in good standing as a Peer Recovery Specialist preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise about the recovery process and symptom management.
• Facilitate connections to community resources.
• Assist in crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

Skills

Recovery experience

Client counseling

Understanding of recovery-oriented systems of care

Education

High school diploma or GED

Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist certification

Job description

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, Hope is Spoken Here. Our mission is to provide quality, community-based services that prevent and address mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.

We put people first—ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and respect while providing flexible, affordable, and timely services.

Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve as a Peer Recovery Specialist. This position will include various shifts, including possible holidays, possible weekends, and a rotational on-call schedule with other team members.

Position Summary/Responsibilities

The 23 Hour Crisis program is open 24/7 for anyone voluntarily seeking support for mental health emergency or crisis. They can stay at the center for up to 23 hours, where they will get support from trained professionals. The goal is to keep beds available at hospitals and provide an alternative place for someone to stay in a crisis.

This is an opportunity to implement a successful program in our region that will make an immediate and visible impact in people's lives!

Peer Recovery Specialist functions as a member of the team to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to have a satisfying life. The Peer Recovery Specialist may facilitate a warm handoff to referral sources within and outside of BRBH (e.g., inpatient hospital, CSU, Same Day Access, Outpatient Services). (50% Funded by STEP-VA; 50% Funded by CRC funding)

The Peer Specialist:

• Collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences.
• Is responsible for maximizing client choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services.
• Provides peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families and team staff.
• Acts as a liaison with other BRBH programs and community resources.
• Carries out rehabilitation and support functions.
• Assists in treatment, mental health services, education, support, and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff.

Hiring Range

The anticipated base salary for this position is $38,563.20 to $40,705.60. Actual compensation offered within this range will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities), geographic location, complexity of role, and other relevant business considerations. We kindly ask that candidates do not discuss compensation until after an offer of employment is extended.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Have at least one year of recovery and lived experience with mental illness or substance use disorder conditions; Awareness of the importance of recovery and living with a mental illness or substance use disorder conditions; Past experience working directly with people in a service oriented field is beneficial. Understanding of community resources and the recovery-oriented systems of care model is preferred.
• Licensure/Certifications: Certification as a Virginia Peer Recovery Specialist with certification in good standing preferred. Completion of the approved certification course through VA DBHDS within one year of employment is required.
• Background Check: Fingerprints, State and FBI criminal record reports, drug test, and central registry report will be required upon selection.
• Safe Driving Record: This position requires transporting clients or driving agency vehicles. Candidates must have a good driving record, which is defined as no more than two moving violations in the last three years and no criminal moving violations in the last five years.

Special Work Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will often sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, and reach above their head. Use of hands for placing and pulling objects. The employee frequently lifts and or carries up to 25 pounds and pushes or pulls up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (computer and paperwork). Specific hearing required by this job includes normal tones. Travel is 20%. Travel is local.

Why work at BRBH?

• Team atmosphere: Our small team works hard to change lives.
• Work/Life Balance: We have a great Paid Time Off policy—21 days annually, which starts accruing on your first day, plus 10 paid holidays.
• Stable Employer: BRBH provides multiple programs and services throughout the Roanoke Valley with over 350 employees working to provide quality care to our clients. We are proud to have served our community for over 50 years. BRBH maintains a drug‑free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. This position is located in Roanoke, VA.

EOE Statement

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation general identify or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.