Behavioral Health Certified Peer Support Specialist

RHA Health Services • Concord, NC

6d

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Certified Peer Support Specialist provides individualized community-based services to people with mental health or substance use challenges. The role promotes self-determination and decision-making and provides expertise and consultation to the interdisciplinary healthcare team so that each person’s point of view and preferences are recognized, respected, and incorporated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities. The specialist may advocate for people supported and helps them regain control of their recovery through strength-based interventions focused on recovery, symptom reduction, coping skills, and community functioning. The specialist also serves as a role model for recovery and ongoing coping skills. Staffing ratios account for evening and weekend hours, special-population needs, and service-area geography.

The position requires Qualified Mental Health Professional status and Peer Support certification, or a certificate in Peer Support supervision. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED (or equivalent), one year of experience working with the population served, and either Peer Support Specialist certification or the stated qualifying treatment-recipient experience and eligibility for certification. A minimum of 20 hours of service-specific training, including crisis response, must be completed within the first 90 days of employment. A valid driver’s license and automotive insurance are required. Candidates must pass background and drug screenings. CPR, first aid, NCI, and/or other role-related certifications are a plus.

RHA Health Services describes its mission as providing a safe and healthy environment and creating opportunities for personal outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and/or substance use needs. It has provided services for over 30 years and operates in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

Requirements

• Qualified Mental Health Professional status and Peer Support certification, or a certificate of Peer Support supervision.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• One year of experience working with the population supported.
• Peer Support Specialist certification, or one continuous year as a current or former recipient of treatment (including mental health or substance abuse treatment or diagnosis) and eligibility for Peer Support Specialist certification by the governing agency.
• Complete at least 20 hours of training specific to the required components of the service definition, including crisis response, within the first 90 days of employment.
• Valid driver’s license and automotive insurance.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen.
• Pre-employment screening includes criminal background checks, registry checks (OIG exclusions database, Child Abuse Registry, and Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities), drug testing, education verification, and other credentialing based on position requirements.
• For positions requiring driving, provide proof of driver’s license, driver’s insurance, and a vehicle if required to transport individuals.

Nice To Haves

• CPR certification, first aid certification, NCI certification, and/or other role-related certification.

Responsibilities

• Meet with clients to provide advice and support in accordance with treatment plans.
• Assist with peer support groups for assigned consumers on a regular basis.
• Support consumers in daily decision-making and resolving minor problems.
• Help clients locate resources, understand processes, follow through on proposed resolutions, find social activities, and obtain other needed assistance.
• Accompany clients to meetings and participate in community-group meetings to advocate for consumer needs.
• Lead recovery dialogues and self-help sessions with clients.
• Encourage participation in community activities to foster healthy relationships.
• Observe behavior and general well-being and discuss observations with clients.
• Model effective coping and self-help techniques for individuals and groups.
• Advise clients on empowerment skills and successful community living.
• Inform clients about community resources and their appropriate use.
• Provide information to consumers and families on assigned topics.
• Provide expertise and consultation to the interdisciplinary healthcare team so individual preferences are integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities.
• Serve as an advocate for clients and support them in regaining control over their recovery processes.

Benefits

• Payactiv early access to earned wages before payday.
• Employee perks and discount program.
• Paid time off for full-time employees.
• Health insurance for full-time employees.
• 401(k) retirement savings program.
• Physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing programs.
• Chronic disease management programs for hypertension and diabetes for qualifying employees.
• Free CPR, first aid, and job-specific training opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED