Peer Support Specialist No Holidays or Weekends/Superb Benefits

New Vista KY; Richmond (KY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

New Vista KY is seeking a dedicated Peer Support Specialist to work as part of the treatment team, sharing recovery experiences and promoting self-determination for clients. The role emphasizes collaboration with providers to foster empowerment, housing stability, and community engagement.

The position requires a high school diploma, a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist certification or enrollment in a state-approved program within three months, and a history of mental health and/or substance use

Qualifications

• One year of recovery involvement is preferred.
• Must be certified in good standing as a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist or complete a state-approved certification within three months of hire.
• Must have a history of mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis and treatment.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of current auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support within the treatment team to promote recovery, self-determination, and community living skills.
• Advocate for services requested by the individual and support informed, independent decision making.
• Document in the Person‑Centered Recovery Plan the strengths, needs, and goals of the individual and coordinate with supervisor.

Education

High School Graduate or equivalent

Job description

The Peer Support Specialist position is an individual, or family member of an individual, who has been in receipt of services for mental health or substance use difficulties and is willing to share and use their experiences, knowledge, and first‑hand insight to the benefit of the clients served. The Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to achieve a desired social or personal change. The Peer Support Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences. The Specialist is responsible to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment. The Peer Support Specialist serves as a role model; and promotes socialization, recovery, self‑advocacy, and enhancement of community living skills for clients. The Peer Support Specialist is a positive team player that promotes a culture of inclusion and participation.
Required Education And Experience

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Ability to demonstrate one year of recovery involvement
• Currently certified in good standing as a Kentucky Peer Support Specialist or must complete a certification program approved by the state within three months of hire
• Must have a history of mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis and treatment
• Valid driver’s license, reliable operating transportation, proof of current auto insurance
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• One-year experience providing peer support services
• In Residential Substance Use Peer Support positions, experience working with pregnant and postpartum women
• In Substance Use and Residential Substance Use Peer Support positions, knowledge of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders
  

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Peer Support

• Serve as an active member of the treatment team
• Advocate for services requested by the individual
• Assist in cultivating the individual’s ability to make informed, independent choices, to set goals/objectives and assist in gaining information and support from the community
• Plan activities with the individual that lead to improved self‑concepts through empowerment and self‑determination opportunities
• Act as a teacher and role model of behavioral health recovery and assist with the development of effective communication with other providers
• Assist individuals in the development of Wellness Recovery Action Plans and/or Advance Directives for Mental Health Treatment to avoid hospitalization
• Support individuals how to maintain stable housing and employment, if desired
• Provide support and encouragement to the individual
• Offer hope of recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders by sharing personal recovery story and by teaching individuals how to tell their own recovery stories effectively. Use unique recovery experience to model the value of every individual’s recovery experience and teach effective coping techniques and self‑help strategies
• With assistance from supervisor, document in the Person‑Centered Recovery Plan the strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of the individual; interventions to assist peers in reaching their recovery goals; progress toward recovery goals
• Travel to community partner sites to meet with individuals who are referred into various programs with the intent to obtain early engagement
  

Collaboration and Communication

• Participate as an active member of the individual’s recovery team, including participation in team meetings and treatment planning opportunities to assist clients with the identification and attainment of their recovery goals
• Act as a liaison between the individual and members of the recovery team
• Inform the treatment team of any issues/concerns related to the individual clients
• Increase awareness of, and support client participation in, consumer self‑help programs such as Participation Station and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery
  

Documentation

• Maintain accurate, thorough documentation on all assigned cases and use documentation to assist clients in evaluating progress
• Submit documentation within required timeframes
  

Drop‑In Center (If applicable)

• Ensures that the Drop‑In Center has proper accommodations such as coffee, snacks, and a pleasant environment
• Responds to Drop‑In Center consumers by triaging their needs which may range from mental health or substance use crisis to no immediate needs and make referrals to appropriate services within New Vista, and if not available, to outside service providers
• Works with SMI leadership to ensure coverage of the Drop‑In Center during hours of operation
  

Emergency Services/Crisis Response & Urgent Care (if applicable)

• Operate as a member of the Mobile Crisis, Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Critical Evaluation Teams
• Respond promptly to requests regarding any crisis events, assessments, consultation, or episodes of care in a variety of settings within the community (i.e. emergency room, polices station, individual’s home, etc.)
• Work with state psychiatric hospital staff to facilitate telehealth evaluations, provide support to clients, and/or connecting clients to services as needed
• Work with community partners (i.e. first responders, court system, hospital emergency rooms, etc.) and New Vista treatment team to assist in crisis response, stabilization, and/or connecting to follow up treatment
• Track and provide data elements and other relevant information about client care as requested
  

While we welcome all to apply, there are some position specific background stipulations that must be met to comply with various regulatory and contractual requirements.
New Vista prohibits discrimination and harassment against any applicant, employee or contractor based on sex, race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, working conditions, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, wage and salary administration, employee benefits and training. It is also the company’s policy to prohibit all forms of retaliation against any individual who has complained of harassing or discriminatory conduct, encouraged another to complain, participated in an investigation into such complaints, or opposed unlawful discrimination.