PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

The Center for Health Care Services; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Health Care Services seeks a Peer Specialist who uses lived experience to support consumers and guardians in navigating mental health and recovery services. Certification within one year is required (MHPS, RSPS, CFP). You will conduct group and individual sessions, assist with data collection, and ensure documentation aligns with CHCS standards.

The role emphasizes advocacy, outreach, and maintaining professional boundaries while supporting recovery in a community-based Texas setting.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• One year of lived experience with mental illness or substance use.
• One year of wellness recovery experience and navigating a child service system as a parent or caregiver.
• Willingness to disclose personal experience for education and inspiration.

Responsibilities

• Assist consumers/families navigate mental health and recovery systems.
• Assist with data collection and surveys.
• Accompany consumers to court, medical and service appointments.
• Conduct home, clinic, and community sessions.
• Provide group and individual services.
• Ensure clinical documentation meets CHCS standards.
• Share lived experience to motivate recovery.

Skills

Lived experience

Advocacy

Communication

Documentation

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

EMR systems

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Peer Specialist (PS) is an individual who self-identifies as having direct personal experience living with mental illness and/or substance use and/or personal lived experience caregiving for children with mental health conditions. The PS skillfully uses personal lived experience to provide support to consumers and/or guardians. This position is required to obtain a certified peer specialist certification within one year of employment to include Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS), Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS), and/or Certified Family Partner (CFP).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Assist consumers and/or families navigate mental health and recovery systems by presenting options and empowering choice in the recovery process.
• Assists with data collection and surveys.
• Assists consumers to court, doctor appointments, intake appointments and other service appointments as needed.
• Conducts home, clinic, and community face-to-face sessions.
• Provides both group and one-on-one services.
• Ensures clinical documentation is submitted in accordance with CHCS’s standards and meets all designated requirements.
• Shares lived experience as a tool to motivate recovery.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED equivalency is required.
• One (1) year of lived experience with mental illness, and/or substance use, and/or parenting a child with mental health needs.
• One (1) year of experience working on recovery and able to manage own wellness.
• Transparency in disclosure of personal experience for the purpose of educating, role modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
• Family Partner - Has at least one year of experience navigating a child service system (e.g. mental health, juvenile justice, social security, or special education) as a parent or LAR.
• TCOOMMI - Must have successfully completed community supervision within the last ten (10) years.

Licenses or Certifications

To be obtained within one year of hire:

• Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) supports those working in Recovery support within the field of mental health and/or co-occurring disorders and/or,
• Certified Family Partner (CFP) support caregivers of children receiving mental health services and/or,
• Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) supports those working in Recovery Support Peer within the field of chemical dependency, mental health and/or co-occurring disorders.

Other Requirements

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage, be able to travel as needed, and be able to meet on a consistent basis the driving record requirements of the Company’s auto insurance carrier if you drive your vehicle during company business.
• Must maintain required credentials and mandatory training requirements to ensure compliance with all State regulations and CHCS policies.
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements to complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) and CPR training including lifting up to 12 lbs. and supporting up to 55 lbs.; bending, stooping and getting on and off the floor without assistance.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) is a proven safe and harm-free method of behavior modification. All consumer-facing employees of CHCS must take NCI courses facilitated by the CHCS Training team within the first 45 days of employment.
• NCI is intended to support human service professionals in giving aggressive, disruptive, or out-of-control people the best care and welfare possible, even in the most violent situation.
• NCI training provides staff with the skills to safely recognize and respond to everyday crisis situations that may involve more challenging behaviors. It focuses on prevention and offers proven strategies for safely defusing anxious, hostile or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Language Proficiency Pay (LPP) payments are subject to successful testing, certification by CHCS Payroll, and availability of funding. Funding may be renewed in subsequent fiscal years but is not guaranteed.1 year experience working in social support services.
• Additional peer certification such as Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) or Re-Entry Peer Specialist (JI-RPS).
• At least one (1) year of experience in social support services.

SUPERVISION

• Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Community resources.
• Individual Disability Education Act.
• Child services available.
• Applicable software applications.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Case management.
• Recovery techniques.

Skilled in:

• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI).
• Organization and time management.
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of different nature.
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios.

Ability to:

• Comply with required contractual and center policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate and understand, both written and verbal language.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Maintain accurate and complete records.
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries.
• Provide advocacy with a non-judgmental approach to working with families.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to meet the physical requirements to complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) and CPR training including lifting up to 12 lbs. and supporting up to 55 lbs.; bending, stooping and getting on and off the floor without assistance.
• Must have adequate mobility that requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching (vertical and horizontal), using fingers, hands, feet, legs and torso in various care.
• The employee must be able to occasionally provide transportation to a consumer and physically assist consumer with maneuvering themselves.

1 Haven for Hope Way Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm