Peer Support Specialist - Emergency Services

United Counseling Service; Bennington (VT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

United Counseling Service is seeking a Peer Support Specialist for Emergency Services in Vermont. The role focuses on compassionate, person-centered support for individuals in emotional or mental health crises, drawing from lived experience to empower safety and recovery.

The position involves clinical and crisis operations, documentation, outreach, and group facilitation, including work at Battelle House and with Emergency Services staff to connect clients with resources and supports.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health, trauma, or related challenges.
• IPS certification within 1 year of hire.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct peer support using active listening and strength-based conversations.
• Assist during crisis admissions and discharges, including forms and orientation.
• Navigate outpatient intakes and support follow-up with community providers.
• Facilitate daily client engagement activities and peer-led groups.
• Support medications understanding and pickups as needed.
• Advocate for client rights and outreach within the community.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication

De-escalation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

IPS Certification within 1 year of hire

Driver's license

Job description

Description

The Peer Support Specialist - Emergency Services provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals experiencing emotional, mental health, or social crises. Drawing from lived experience, this role centers peer empowerment, safety, and recovery. The Peer Support Specialist also assists with clinical and crisis operations, documentation, outreach, and group facilitation, including support within the Battelle House and the broader community alongside Emergency Services staff.

Major Responsibilities

DIRECT CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES:

• Provide direct peer support using active listening, motivational interviewing, and strength-based conversations.
• Assist clients during crisis admissions and discharges, including completing required forms, interviews, inventories, and orientation.
• Help individuals navigate outpatient intakes and support follow-up with community providers.
• Conduct and facilitate daily client engagement activities such as check-ins and peer-led groups.
• Support meal preparation and maintain a welcoming environment at Battelle House.
• Assist clients with medication understanding and prescription pickups.
• Provide outreach to community members in need of services.

CLINICAL AND CRISIS SUPPORT

• Provide peer support during mobile crisis calls and co-responses.
• Support client safety and emotional de-escalation during crises.
• Triage, screen, and route incoming crisis calls; elevate to clinicians when needed.
• Assist with bed calls, referrals, and prior authorizations for psychiatric hospitalizations.

CLINICAL OPERATIONS AND MEDICATION SUPPORT

• Take and record vital signs upon client admission and discharge.
• Assist nursing staff with delegated medication administration and tracking.
• Support documentation related to medication-related activities

PEER GROUP FACILITATION & RESOURCE NAVIGATION

• Lead or co-lead peer support groups promoting recovery and community.
• Assist clients with accessing internal and external resources.
• Promote autonomy, self-direction, and healing.

CLIENT IDENTIFICATION, OUTREACH, AND ADVOCACY

• Advocate for client rights across settings, including hospitals, meetings, and community interactions.
• Conduct outreach to individuals who could benefit from UCS services.
• Foster family and natural support connections where clinically appropriate.

RECORD KEEPING & DOCUMENTATION

• Complete all documentation accurately and timely, supporting quality care and billing.
• Maintain professional and confidential records.

AGENCY PARTICIPATION

• Collaborate across departments and participate in agency-wide initiatives.
• Uphold UCS values of equity, compassion, and person-centered care.
• In addition to the above, performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Lived experience with mental health, trauma, or related challenges.
• Certification in Intentional Peer Support (IPS) within one year of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience facilitating support groups or working in a peer-led environment.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, neurodiversity, psychiatric survivorship, and recovery frameworks.

Key Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Experience providing peer support.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care and crisis intervention.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and de-escalation skills.
• Organizational skills and experience with electronic records.
• Ability to maintain emotional composure under stress.
• Understanding of HIPAA, professional boundaries, and ethical standards.
• Commitment to recovery-oriented, person-driven service models.