Peer Support Specialist

Start Corporation; Mandeville (LA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Start Corporation in Louisiana is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to visit clients in their communities, help them build daily life skills, and connect with local resources.

You will share your recovery journey to provide hope, model coping strategies, and advocate for clients as they work toward independence. This role requires a compassionate team player with strong communication, documentation, and driving ability to transport clients when needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social or human services, or a GED.
• At least two years of behavioral health experience and pursuing the required degree.
• Must be 18+ and possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Works as part of a multidisciplinary team providing intensive behavioral health services.
• Models recovery-oriented thinking and assists peers in skill building.
• Develops Recovery Action Plans with specific goals and steps.
• Completes case plans, assessments, and logs in the program system.

Skills

Active listening

Empathy

Professional boundaries

Recovery-oriented approach

Effective communication

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor Degree in social services or human services field

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

About Start Corporation

Start Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Our Mission is to promote opportunities, which enhance the self-sufficiency of people to empower them to live and function independently.

Job Description

As part of the ACT team, the Peer Support Specialist will visit clients in their communities to help them build daily life skills and connect with local resources. By sharing their own recovery journey, they will provide hope, model coping skills, and advocate for clients as they work toward independence.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in social services or human services field OR High School Diploma or GED
• At least two years of behavioral health experience AND must be working towards obtaining the required degree
• Be over 18 years of age. Possess a valid driver’s license

Core Competencies

• Communicates respectfully and effectively and establishes professional relationships through active listening and demonstration of empathy and positive regard.
• Promotes recovery, independence, and personal choice for participants.
• Assists clients in identifying strengths, needs, and realistic goals to develop a service plan.
• Accurately identifies risk and responds appropriately.
• Effectively teaches social skills and household management skills.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of behavioral health symptoms, interventions, and impact.
• Maintains professional boundaries and operates within agency / ethical guidelines.
• Knowledge of agency and community resources and referral processes.

Job Duties / Skills Required

• Works as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing intensive services to persons with severe and persistent behavioral health disorders.
• Models recovery-oriented thinking and behavior.
• Assist peers in skill building, goal setting, problem solving, conducting Recovery Dialogues.
• Help peers build self-directed recovery tools which includes supporting peers in developing a Recovery Action Plan that has their recovery goals and specific steps to obtain to reach those goals.
• Attends a monthly meeting for all Certified Peer Support Specialists. Adheres to the Certified Peer Support Specialists Code of Ethics.
• Complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and keeps all information confidential.
• Maintains a caseload of clients in need of specific social services.
• Conducts themselves with a manner of professionalism that is conducive to recovery from mental illness and overall wellness.
• Provides supportive services for clients and arranges for the provision of services from community resources based on the case plan.
• Participates in setting case plan goals/objectives.
• Completes case plans with clients.
• Interviews clients, families, etc. and completes assessments and other clinical documentation.
• Completes case logs on all client services and insures that logs are entered into the electronic data management system of the program they are employed by.
• Performs regular case maintenance activities including documenting actions, making narrative entries, preparing necessary reports and/or social summaries, etc.
• Consults with facility personnel and administrative field personnel; collects and analyzes data to identify needs for the assigned special services program within the particular service area.
• Ascertains resources outside of Start when necessary to meet client’s specific needs.
• Maintains a clear driving record in order to be able to drive company vehicles to provide transportation to clients

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; disability and life insurance; paid time off; 13 paid holidays per year for regular full-time employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.