Peer Support Specialist (certified) - NCSH Residential Program

HealthRIGHT 360; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

HealthRIGHT 360 in Escondido invites a Peer Support Specialist who uses lived experience to build trust and promote recovery. You will mentor participants, support treatment planning, and help connect individuals with essential resources in a community-based setting.

The role emphasizes crisis support, documentation, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to ensure safety, continuity of care, and meaningful outcomes for participants and their families.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Certified Peer Specialist certification is required.
• CPR and First Aid certification within 30 days of employment.
• Valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance.
• Desirable: Bilingual English/Spanish.
• State-approved certification can be obtained after employment.
• Candidate must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use services.

Responsibilities

• Provides relapse prevention services, coaching, and links to community resources.
• Maintains confidentiality and documents updates in electronic systems.
• Collaborates with treatment team and participates in treatment planning.
• Assists with housing, benefits, education, employment, transportation, childcare, and medical needs.
• Attends required trainings and meetings.

Skills

Empathy & active listening

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Peer Specialist Certification

CPR & First Aid Certification

Driver's license

Job description

The Peer Support Specialist will have experience or personal knowledge of behavioral health issues and services. The Peer Support Specialist provides culturally competent and trauma informed services that promote recovery, engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. The Peer Support Specialist will be responsible for providing relapse prevention services, coaching, supporting links to community resources, or education to help participants achieve their goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual Treatment Responsibilities: Provides support by drawing on own experiences and professional skills to build a trusting relationship with participants. Serves as a mentor and role-model to participants. Provides consultation to treatment team members from a professional perspective support professional effectiveness and empower the participants we serve. Advocate for participant needs and participates in treatment planning. Research and share information about community resources that will assist participants both during and after treatment. Maintains confidentiality of all participants. Provides input to develop and improve program services. Demonstrates excellent listening and communication skills and a supportive attitude towards participants and treatment team members. Work in collaboration with treatment team members to identify other services needed that may include, but are not limited to assistance with housing, benefits, education, employment, transportation, childcare, and medical needs. Assisttreatment team members and participants in developing independent living skills to promote independence and self-sufficiency. The Peer Support Specialist will maintain North County Serenity House (NCSH), a program of HealthRIGHT 360 and San Diego County documentation standards.

Treatment Setting Responsibilities: Works as an active team member and closely collaborates with internal and external team members. Performs crisis intervention and communicates with treatment team as unforeseen situations arise. Documents participant updates and incidents. Performs periodic walkthroughs to ensure and maintain the safety and security of the facility. As needed, accompanies participants to offsite appointments related to their treatment. Attends required trainings and meetings.

Documentation Responsibilities: Collaborates with each caseload participant and other available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes and appropriate updates in support of the health and recovery needs of the participant. Maintain documentation in compliance with agency, HIPAA, 42CFR, and funder/County and CalAIM standards. Properly documents all services provided. Completes required agency assessments in timely manner. Ensure that all clinical documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner and entered in the various electronic systems.

General Responsibilities: Complies with agency’s policies and procedures. Attend and actively participate in internal and outside meetings as assigned. Ensure providing quality services through compliance with training requirements. Arrange work schedule in accordance with agency’s needs that may include weekends, and holidays. Meet expected performance standards as assigned by supervisor.

EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Peer Specialist Certification
• CPR and First Aid Certified within 30 days of employment
• A valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance

Desired: Bilingual English/Spanish

• Must not be on active parole or probation

• State approved certification program (CalMHSA)- Can be obtained after employment.

• Candidate must be a current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use services or an immediate family member of someone who was a recipient of mental health and/or substance use services.
• If candidate or immediate family member received treatment from any of the HealthRIGHT 360 family of programs, he or she must be at least 12 months into their recovery and receive any on-going treatment from an outside agency
• Demonstrate some knowledge of mental health, substance abuse prevention, and supplemental community resources
• Must have knowledge and experience of co-occurring disorders
• Maintain a level of progression toward self-sufficiency
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively, motivate, and assist participants