Peer Support Specialist - Substance Abuse

Pathways Inc. - Kentucky; Mount Sterling (KY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Pathways Inc. - Kentucky is seeking a full-time Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

The role emphasizes recovery, hope, resiliency, and living experience as a consumer of mental health services. The position requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) or ability to obtain it within the agency timeframe.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services.
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults.
• Experience collaborating with interagency or multidisciplinary teams preferred.
• Knowledge of System of Care principles, care planning and Wraparound services, cultural competency, and evidence-based practices in mental health and adolescent substance abuse treatment.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults.
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing personal recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency.
• Teach effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques.
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources.
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs and concerns are addressed appropriately.
• Communicate consumer-related concerns and updates to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care.
• Maintain documentation and records in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as required.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lived experience

Rapport building

Communication skills

Advocacy skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Pathways complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, pregnancy status, victim status, marital status, member of the armed services or covered veteran status, or any other status that is protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. This policy includes, but is not limited to: recruitment, employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, termination, compensation, benefits, layoffs, training, and social and recreational programs.

Salary:

$32,500 - $36,562

Job Type:

Full-Time

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required

Certification/License Requirements

• Certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) required or ability to obtain certification within agency-required timeframe
• Must meet YPSS eligibility criteria of 35 years old or younger

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group peer support services to youth and young adults
• Serve as a positive role model by sharing personal recovery experience and promoting hope and resiliency
• Teach effective coping skills, self-help strategies, and recovery-oriented techniques
• Support consumers in identifying strengths, goals, and community resources
• Advocate on behalf of consumers to ensure needs and concerns are addressed appropriately
• Communicate consumer-related concerns and updates to supervisor in a timely manner
• Collaborate with interagency teams and community partners to support coordinated care
• Maintain documentation and records in accordance with agency policies and applicable regulations
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and supervision as required
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge

• Must have lived experience as a consumer of mental health services
• Ability to build rapport and establish supportive relationships with youth and young adults
• Experience collaborating with interagency or multidisciplinary teams preferred
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn:
  • System of Care principles
  • Care planning and Wraparound services
  • Cultural competency
  • Evidence-based practices in mental health and adolescent substance abuse treatment
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality

This is a full time position