Peer Support Specialist

Acadia Healthcare; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Acadia Healthcare is seeking a Peer Specialist to provide group and individual counseling sessions drawing on recovery experiences to inspire patients. You will mentor peers, lead recovery education groups, and advocate for patients and families in a supportive behavioral health setting.

The role requires a high school diploma, 3+ years in behavioral health, and CPR/de-escalation training. Documentation and collaboration in weekly meetings are integral to the position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Three or more years' experience in behavioral health setting required.
• Two or more years in an acute inpatient behavioral health setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide group and individual counseling sessions using recovery experiences as inspiration and motivation.
• Provide peer mentoring and tailored services to support recovery goals and planning.
• Facilitate recovery education groups and advocate for patients and families.
• Document interventions within 24 hours of service and maintain timely assessments.
• Participate in weekly meetings and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain a positive, empathetic attitude and address patient safety concerns.

Skills

Peer counseling

Group facilitation

Advocacy

Documentation

Empathy & communication

Patient safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Purpose Statement

Provide group and individual counseling sessions using personal experiences in mental health & substance use recovery as inspiration and motivation, while also allowing for expression of persons’ experiences in recovery.

Essential Functions

• Provide a wide range of activities to assist patients in exercising control over their own lives and their recovery or resilience-building process.
• Provide peer mentoring or coaching, including personalized and tailored services and supports to meet the preferences and unique needs of the person/family and support recovery goals/planning through assisting and supporting goal setting and use of decision-making strategies.
• Provide recovery resources
• Facilitate and lead recovery, educational and support groups. Educational activities include, as applicable, self-advocacy, wellness, life skills, goal setting, parenting skills and decision-making skills.
• Advocate with and for the person and their family.
• Complete documentation of group and/or individual interventions in an accurate manner and file within 24 hours of service.
• Complete documentation of assessments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in weekly meetings and supervisions to enhance communication and efficacy of treatment.
• Actively contributes to PI/QI efforts participating in problem-solving, root cause analysis and/or assisting in collection of data.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Three or more years' experience working in a behavioral health setting is required.
• Two or more years’ experience in an acute inpatient behavioral health setting preferred.
• Training on personal advocacy, engagement, recovery and resiliency principles, community supports/resources, effective use of sharing life experiences and parenting skills, as applicable.

Licenses/Designations/Certifications

• Certification as a Peer Specialist
• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

TOWBH