Peer Support Specialist

CFG Health; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CFG Health Systems, LLC in Newark, NJ is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide guidance, support, and advocacy for individuals facing behavioral health or substance use challenges. The role draws on lived experience and professional training to help patients navigate treatment and build coping skills.

The position emphasizes engagement, empowerment, and connections to community and clinical resources, with collaboration across clinical and administrative teams and strict adherence to

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, or related field preferred.
• Personal recovery experience required.
• Experience in peer support, counseling, or patient advocacy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer-to-peer support and mentorship to individuals in behavioral health or substance use programs.
• Share personal recovery experiences to inspire and guide patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Assist patients in developing coping strategies, life skills, and self-advocacy techniques.
• Facilitate group sessions, educational workshops, and community support activities.
• Connect patients with internal and community resources, including mental health services, social services, and recovery programs.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to support individualized care plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation of interactions, interventions, and progress in the EHR or designated system.
• Promote patient engagement, empowerment, and adherence to treatment goals.
• Uphold confidentiality, HIPAA, and PREA regulations at all times.

Skills

Peer support

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Active listening

Documentation

Basic tech/charts

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College degree preferred

Tools

EHR familiarity

Job description

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist provides guidance, support, and advocacy to individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges. Drawing from personal experience and professional training, the Peer Support Specialist assists patients in navigating treatment, developing coping skills, and achieving recovery goals. This role promotes engagement, empowerment, and connection to community and clinical resources.

The Peer Support Specialist provides guidance, support, and advocacy to individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use challenges. Drawing from personal experience and professional training, the Peer Support Specialist assists patients in navigating treatment, developing coping skills, and achieving recovery goals. This role promotes engagement, empowerment, and connection to community and clinical resources.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide peer-to-peer support and mentorship to individuals in behavioral health or substance use programs.
• Share personal recovery experiences to inspire and guide patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Assist patients in developing coping strategies, life skills, and self-advocacy techniques.
• Facilitate group sessions, educational workshops, and community support activities.
• Connect patients with internal and community resources, including mental health services, social services, and recovery programs.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to support individualized care plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation of interactions, interventions, and progress in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) or designated system.
• Promote patient engagement, empowerment, and adherence to treatment goals.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, care coordination, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Uphold confidentiality, HIPAA, and PREA regulations at all times.
• Promote a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for patients.

Organizational Expectations

• Provides a positive and professional representation of CFG Health Systems, LLC.
• Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments related to the scope of the role.
• Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations, as applicable.
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Completes required orientation and training as directed by the facility.
• Follows facility policies, OSHA safety rules, and procedures while on assignment.
• Follows facility and CFG Health Systems Occurrence Protocol.
• Upholds HIPAA and PREA regulations.
• Demonstrates punctuality and dependability for assigned and confirmed shifts.
• Maintains required security clearance for the assigned facility.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social work, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Personal experience in behavioral health recovery or substance use recovery required.
• Experience working in peer support, counseling, or patient advocacy preferred.
• Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, or correctional settings is a plus.

Licensure & Certification

• Peer Support Specialist certification or equivalent preferred (varies by state/facility).
• Training in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or recovery coaching preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills.
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with individuals in recovery.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, substance use, and recovery resources.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with clinical and administrative teams.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing empathetic support.
• Competency with documentation and basic technology for recordkeeping.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made, upon written request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• May be required to stand, sit, walk, reach, bend, kneel, crouch, or stretch for prolonged periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively and understand written and verbal communication.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.