Certified Peer Specialist

Brightli • Moberly, MO

21d

About The Position

The Certified Peer Specialist emphasizes the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills so individuals can engage in their recovery journey. Through a therapeutic relationship with individuals and their families, the specialist helps clients develop skills, access recovery tools and community support, and work toward achieving and maintaining recovery. The role uses personal recovery experience to support people with mental health and substance use disorders, foster resilience, encourage independent choices, and help clients take an active role in treatment. The position requires transporting clients and connecting them with services and community resources.

The specialist collaborates on personalized treatment and recovery plans; communicates with referral sources and guardians; participates in care coordination; researches and refers clients to community resources; schedules appointments; provides transportation; supports access to medical services; documents services in accordance with state and CARF standards; offers crisis intervention; and facilitates group education sessions. The position also requires ethical conduct, confidentiality, required training and professional development, and support for clients pursuing healthy, productive, and sober lifestyles.

Qualifications vary by state. Applicants must meet the applicable state peer specialist requirements and complete required trainings and certifications. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance, age 21 or older, and at least one year of recovery. Employment is contingent on successful background checks and completion of orientation and training requirements.

Requirements

• Must be willing to self-identify as a present or former client of mental health and/or substance use services, or as a person in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder.
• Requires one year of direct, personal experience with the mental health system as a primary consumer of services.
• Able to complete a state-approved Certified Peer Support training program and other required trainings within six months of employment.
• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must meet applicable CPRS (Certified Peer Recovery Specialist) or CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) standards.
• Must be at least 21 years old and have a minimum of one year of recovery.
• Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance required.
• Successful completion of background checks, including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect, and fingerprint checks.
• Complete New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment and required training, including Relias, at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
• Ability to share personal recovery knowledge and experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to share recovery skills and help clients identify skills that may work for them.
• Ability to serve as a source of hope by demonstrating the ability to maintain recovery.
• Basic knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques related to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledge of challenges faced by individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders and of available community resources.
• Familiarity with methods, modalities, legal requirements, and court procedures associated with treating mental health and substance use disorders.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and produce clear, concise reports.
• Ability to connect clients with recovery resources, including mutual aid support groups.
• General knowledge of computers.
• Illinois applicants: meet the requirements described in the Illinois Model for Mental Health Certified Recovery Support Specialist; have 2,000 hours of supervised work experience, which may include paid or volunteer work; 100 hours of supervision in CRSS performance domains; 100 hours of training and education related to CRSS domains, professional ethics and responsibility, and other core functions; and successfully complete a written CRSS exam.
• Missouri applicants: have a high school education or equivalent and two years of responsible employment history; if required, complete a five-day Basic Training Program and pass a Missouri-approved certification examination within six months.
• Kansas applicants: hold a high school diploma or equivalent; document completion of BHS-approved Level Two in-person KCPS training with a score of 80% or greater; and be gainfully employed as a Kansas Certified Peer Specialist in Training or Kansas Certified Peer Specialist with prior certification.
• Within the first year of employment, receive training in disability-related illnesses; working with clients’ families and caretakers; client and family rights, roles, and responsibilities; client self-help skills; individual treatment plans; assessment principles; special needs and characteristics; community support philosophy; suicide awareness and precautions; quality assurance; infection control; CPRC philosophy, values, and objectives; behavioral management and crisis intervention; and issues related to involuntary holds.
• Physical requirements include light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and walking or standing to a significant degree or sitting while using arm or leg controls.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorder or mental health treatment setting is desired.
• If asked, present evidence of a sponsor and participation in a 12-step program.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with individuals to develop personalized treatment plans that address their needs.
• Maintain regular communication with referral sources and guardians about progress, transition planning, and clinical matters.
• Participate in meetings to ensure continuity of care.
• Research and refer individuals to outside resources when necessary.
• Schedule treatment appointments and transport clients to and from Recovery Support Services and community-based services.
• Accompany clients to appointments when permitted and represent the agency professionally.
• Support access to medical services and document services in accordance with state and CARF standards.
• Provide crisis intervention and facilitate group education sessions as scheduled.
• Complete professional development training to meet required hours every two years.
• Use peer support to foster recovery and resilience for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Help individuals connect with others, their communities, and community Recovery Supports; this requires transporting clients.
• Assist individuals in accessing information and support for mental health and substance use disorders.
• Support individuals in making independent choices and taking an active role in treatment.
• Help individuals identify strengths and resources for recovery.
• Help individuals set and achieve recovery goals through mentoring, advocacy, and coaching.
• Provide emotional, informational, and instructional support to foster connection and recovery skills.
• Encourage clients to live healthy, productive, and sober lifestyles during and after their time in the facility.
• Help participants create personal treatment plans and actively engage in recovery.
• Adhere to facility ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Show interest in the company’s short- and long-term goals.
• Complete required orientation, trainings, background checks, and applicable state certification requirements.

Benefits

• Paid time off package for full-time employees.
• Health, dental, vision, retirement, and life benefits for full-time employees.
• Initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive training.
• Career mobility and advancement opportunities, including promotion from within.
• Welcoming, warm, supportive work culture that promotes well-being and encourages health and happiness.

What This Job Offers

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