Certified Peer Support Specialist (76468)

Job Purpose

Provides peer recovery support to individuals in need, assisting them in accessing resources, preventing relapse, and maintaining ongoing engagement in recovery services.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Provides peer recovery services to persons served.
  • Completes screening on consumers as needed to determine referral needs, then links to appropriate services and coordinates transportation if needed.
  • Assists consumers in identifying early warning signs and helps them identify ways to prevent relapse.
  • Provides ongoing follow-up with consumers referred to the program to promote recovery, resiliency, and support.
• Promotes peer recovery in the community and within programs. 
  • Promotes peer recovery services to the community to help break down stigma.
  • Works with external customers to identify consumers who may benefit from treatment or support services.
  • Assists in the treatment of persons served by providing paraprofessional support by helping consumers develop coping skills, self-help skills, and communication skills.

Primary Attributes

Professional & Technical Knowledge:

Must possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Possesses specific knowledge of the mental health and substance abuse population processes and practices, typically learned “on the job,” or which may include a series of training sessions that would comprise a few weeks if done consecutively.

Continuing Education: 

Maintains current knowledge of standards of care and practices, typically acquired through continuing education.

Licenses & Certifications: 

A valid state-issued driver’s license and valid Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification from the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals are required.

Technical Skills:

Prepares basic correspondence and simple reports in Microsoft Word. Uses Microsoft Excel to create tables and simple displays of information. Creates basic presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint. Demonstrates necessary proficiency with all electronic clinical systems, including EHR and scheduling systems, in use at the Company.

General Development:

Functions effectively in response to workflow or ongoing direction by supervisors. Effectively selects from pre-established alternatives to resolve situations encountered on the job.  Able to effectively communicate opinions drawn from conclusions using inference and logic. Exercises tact and diplomacy in resolving mild conflicts or disagreements.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a public, customer-facing, high-traffic environment. At times, work may involve working with disruptive or distressed individuals.