Certified Peer Support Specialist

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INC•Long Beach, CA

1d•$20 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Peer Support Specialist uses personal experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment services to support clients’ recovery as part of a multidisciplinary team. Under the direct supervision of the Program Director/Supervisor, the specialist shares practical and personal knowledge about illness management, life skills, and the ongoing recovery process. The role provides peer mentoring, counseling, education, skills support, engagement, and outreach to clients and, when involved in treatment, their families. It also includes program safety monitoring, support with intake and discharge, documentation, toxicology testing and vital signs as needed, crisis response within scope of practice, and coordination with treatment teams and community resources. The specialist is expected to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and compliance with applicable regulatory, accreditation, and agency requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification by CalMHSA as a Certified Peer Support Specialist, maintained in good standing.
Obtain an NPI number and enroll in the EMR system within 30 days of employment.
Ability to operate required computer programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, the electronic timekeeping system, and the electronic learning management system, upon hire or demonstrate competency within 90 days of employment.
Valid California driver’s license and liability insurance if driving a personal or company vehicle on BHS business.
Adequate vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.
Ability to sit at a desk, use a keyboard, write, perform other job duties, and move about the facility to observe clients and staff.
Complete annual TB requirements and maintain good standing.
Ability to exercise professional judgment and decision-making, and recognize when supervision or consultation is needed.
Ability to meet assigned productivity standards.
Ability to build collaborative partnerships with self-help groups, consumer-run programs, and other community partners that may benefit client treatment.
Familiarity with the CalMHSA core competencies and code of ethics for peer support specialists.
Ability to document effectively in required note structures, such as PIN.
Ability to recognize symptoms of substance use and co-occurring disorders and appropriately support treatment within scope of practice.
Ability to identify and respond appropriately to crises within scope of practice, including overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocols, and emergency codes.
Ability to recognize personal biases across diverse populations and maintain boundaries between lived experience and professional duties.
Maintain cultural sensitivity and adhere to professional standards.

Responsibilities

Help patients become accustomed to program routines, including orienting new patients.
Monitor patient activities and complete scheduled rounds and patient checks to support safety, program compliance, and treatment progress.
Support patient intake, treatment, and discharge processes, including developing peer plans of care, charting, filing documentation, and data entry as needed.
Perform toxicology testing and take and record vital signs as needed; chart relevant information.
Accompany patients to activities inside the program or in the community, including off-premises appointments, and document accordingly.
Provide engagement and outreach to current or potential clients and families in the community.
Share personal expertise in substance use and co-occurring-disorder recovery with patients and the interdisciplinary team.
Complete required charting and documentation accurately and on time in accordance with program requirements.
Mentor clients and families to promote empowerment and hope; use lived experience to build trust and provide peer counseling and support.
Promote a team culture that is open to clients’ experiences and encourages self-determination in treatment planning.
Provide education, skill-building, engagement, and support to clients and involved family members within scope of practice.
Liaise between the team and consumer-run programs and encourage clients to use those programs.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and CARF standards.
Respond safely and within scope of practice to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose (including administering anti-overdose medication as needed), or acute intoxication.
Report and record observed changes in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents; identify, report, and assist in managing emergencies.
Participate in safety programming and maintain facility health and safety standards.
Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and program planning.
Contribute to agency quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
Maintain professional boundaries and standards; treat clients with respect, care, and concern; and comply with confidentiality requirements.
Follow BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations, and represent BHS appropriately in all contacts.
Answer phones courteously, direct calls appropriately, and take messages.
Facilitate client external communication as approved by a supervisor.
Attend meetings and trainings, participate in committees as assigned, and perform other duties as assigned.