Peer Support Specialist

Summit BHC; Town of Chester (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Medical/dental/vision after 30 days

PTO package

Evenings/weekends availability

Job summary

Iron Bridge Recovery Center seeks a Peer Support Specialist to support clients through the full continuum of care in Chester, VA. The role is onsite, with evenings and weekends required, and offers tuition assistance and comprehensive benefits.

The specialist will mentor clients, liaise with clinical teams and community resources, and advocate for individuals to promote engagement in recovery. Certifications and CPR/de-escalation training are required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years in behavioral health required.
• 2+ years in an acute inpatient behavioral health setting preferred.
• Training on personal advocacy, engagement, recovery and resiliency principles.
• Understands general addiction and available treatment options.
• General understanding of community resources and how to promote linkage.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a mentor to promote decision making, empowerment and engagement.
• Liaises between individuals, clinical team and community resources.
• Acts as an advocate for clients.
• Engages individuals at first contact to expedite screening for appropriate level of care.
• Provides peer support to clinically complex clients, drawing on shared experiences and guiding recovery.
• Assists with housing, daily living skills and accessing services to support recovery.

Skills

Advocacy

Engagement

Mentoring

Resource liaison

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

3+ years in behavioral health

2+ years in acute inpatient behavioral health (preferred)

Advocacy/training in recovery principles

Understanding of addiction and treatment options

Knowledge of community resources

Job description

Peer Support Specialist | Iron Bridge Recovery Center | Chester, Virginia

About the Job:

-$20-$27 Per Hour
-Evenings and Weekends Required
-Complimentary Continued Education
-$3000 per year Tuition Assistance
-Benefits- Medical, Dental & Vision after 30 days
-Flex Pay-Daily pay option
-PTO package
-Much more!

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Peer Support Specialist enhances the full array of treatment services from initial referral to the patient’s discharge through professional treatment by assisting the patient in developing skills and enhancing strengths to avoid relapses and successfully navigate the full continuum of care and the road to long‑term recovery.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Acts as a mentor to individuals to promote decision making, empowerment and engagement.
• Acts as a liaison between individuals, clinical team and community resources.
• Takes role of advocate.
• Engages individuals referred to treatment at the initial point of contact, clinic or other community provider, to expedite screening for the appropriate level of care.
• Provides peer support to clinically complex client, drawing on common experiences as a peer, validates individuals’ experiences and provides guidance and encouragement to promote individuals to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Provides peer support knowledge related to treatment including methadone, buprenorphine or extended release naltrexone injection maintenance treatment.
• Assists individuals in seeking and receiving services to meet individual social needs and provide support to facilitate patient success to maintain recovery.
• Assists in the process of acquiring housing, necessities and skills needed to maintain daily and monthly household responsibilities and independent livings
• Assists the patient in establishing a relationship with a primary care provider or additional medical care in a coordinated/team approach.
• Serves as consultants and subject matter experts in MAT and patient participation in community support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery.
• Serves as linkage between client and employers in the area to assist client in obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.
• Assists with acquiring and developing life and social skills, education and other needs identified by the individual to promote quality of life after recovery.
• Acts as a role model for client by sharing effective coping techniques and self‑help strategies in promoting personal growth and development handling internal and external stressors.
• Assists and promotes positive health, wellness and lifestyle choices.
• Communicates client’s status on a regular basis, including, but not limited to changes in mood or functioning, medical issues and all crisis and health and safety issues.
• Documents all “no shows,” and communicates all difficulties contacting client with appropriate office staff.
• Documents services provided regularly, concisely, and completely in accordance with clinical standards by office deadline.
• Attends all office trainings as well as regular clinical supervision sessions with assigned supervisor.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or equivalent 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.
• Understands general addiction, other substance‑related problems and available treatment options.
• General understanding of community resources and how to promote linkage between the patient and resource.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certification as a Peer Specialist required.
• CPR certification and de‑escalation training required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is onsite and is not a remote position.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

This position is an Individual Contributor.

Why Iron Bridge Recovery Center?

Iron Bridge Recovery Center offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Iron Bridge Recovery Center is an EOE.