Registered Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Position Summary
The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) is a person with lived experience of recovery from mental health
and/or substance use challenges who uses that experience to inspire hope, promote recovery, and
support clients in achieving their personal goals. PRSs play an essential role in connecting clients
with resources, building recovery skills, providing emotional support, and encouraging engagement
in treatment. This position ensures services are provided in alignment with Medicaid requirements,
DBHDS regulations, and Tandem Behavioral Health policies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Referral Coordination
•  Follow up with new client referrals that are assigned within 24 hours.
• Coordinate with the referral source to ensure that there is an understanding of the client’s needs.
•  Connect clients with housing, employment, food, healthcare, and other community resources.
•  Assist clients with system navigation (treatment, social services, legal, healthcare).

Documentation & Records

• Submit all service documentation within 24 hours in accordance with Medicaid guidelines.
•  Correct and resubmit documentation errors within 24 hours of rejection.
•  Reference and support client recovery plans and Treatment plans at least weekly.
•  Maintain accuracy and confidentiality of client records.

Program & Client Support

•  Perform shift work during staffing shortages, including case management, and administrative coverage.
•  Assist clients in setting and achieving recovery goals.
• Provide emotional support, hope, and encouragement through lived experience.
• Teach life skills such as organization, cleaning, and coping strategies.
•  Support relapse prevention through planning, crisis response, and early intervention.
•  Attend and link clients to recovery groups (NA, AA, SMART Recovery, etc.).
• Provide transportation support within policy (Medicaid transportation, teaching public transit).
• Encourage engagement in IOP/PHP services and coordinate with the treatment team.
• Participate in follow-up and outreach to prevent dropout and maintain engagement.
• Advocate for clients and teach self-advocacy skills.
• Support family education regarding recovery and treatment.
•  Monitor for relapse indicators and report to clinical team.
•  Demonstrate recovery through peer modeling and engagement.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Medicaid, DBHDS, and internal policies.
• Follow procedures for grievances/complaints and abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting.
•  Maintain organized digital records and contribute to risk management documentation.
•  Report any suspected instances of client abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation to a Tandem Behavioral Health Supervisor.

 Comply with Caseload regulations:

• Full-time PRSs: maximum 10 clients; Part-time PRSs: maximum 9 clients.
•  Do not exceed 4 hours/day or 900 hours/year of client services.
•  Maintain schedules as assigned for IOP/PHP clients.
•  Accurately record no-shows, early departures, and rescheduled sessions
• Participate pre-service and in-service staff training, as needed.

We are hiring for Full-Time, Part-Time, and PRN 

Full-time Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Employer Sponsored Retirement
• PTO
• Holidays
• Paid Mental Health Days
• Free Supervision
• Free CEUs

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in human services preferred.
• Must be a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or eligible for certification.
• You must have completed the 72 hour DBHDS Peer Recovery class and obtained your 500 hours of experience.
•  Lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery required.
•  Ability to maintain recovery and serve as a positive role model.
•  Must submit to national/state background check and DSS central registry clearance.
•  Basic computer skills (EHR, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and assist clients with daily living activities as needed.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Certifications required: CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Modification.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with ability to multitask.
•  Strong clinical assessment, treatment planning, and documentation skills.
•  Excellent organizational, time-management, and problem-solving abilities.
•  Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
•  Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and fax/email systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical, administrative, and leadership staff.
•  Able to de-escalate stressful situations.