Certified Peer Support Specialist

Behavioral Health Services•Long Beach, CA

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Program Director/Supervisor, the Certified Peer Support Specialist draws on personal experience receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment to support clients’ recovery as part of a multidisciplinary team. The specialist shares practical knowledge and insight about illness management, life skills, and the ongoing recovery process. The role supports clients throughout program routines, intake, treatment, and discharge; provides peer counseling, education, skill-building, engagement, and outreach; and promotes empowerment, hope, self-determination, and connection to community resources. The specialist documents services, monitors client safety and progress, responds to crises within scope of practice, participates in treatment planning and quality improvement, and follows applicable confidentiality, safety, regulatory, and professional standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification by CalMHSA as a Certified Peer Support Specialist and maintenance of certification in good standing.
Obtain an NPI number and EMR system enrollment 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, and perform other physical job duties.
Ability to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.
Complete annual TB testing and maintain it in good standing.
Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making, including seeking supervision or consultation when 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 CalMHSA-defined 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 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 personal 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 checks to support safety, program compliance, and treatment progress.
Support patient intake, treatment, and discharge, including developing peer plans of care, charting, filing documentation, and entering data as needed.
Perform toxicology testing, take and record vital signs as needed, and chart relevant information.
Accompany patients to activities in the program or community, including off-premises appointments, and document accordingly.
Provide engagement and outreach to current or potential clients and families in the community.
Share personal experience and expertise related to substance use and co-occurring disorder recovery with patients and the interdisciplinary team.
Complete required charting and documentation accurately and on time.
Mentor clients and families to promote empowerment and hope; provide peer counseling and support using lived experience to build trust and commonality.
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.
Act as a liaison between the team and consumer-run programs and encourage clients to use those programs.
Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and CARF requirements.
Respond safely and within scope of practice to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose, and acute intoxication, including administering anti-overdose medication as needed.
Report and record observed changes in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents; identify, report, and assist with 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, procedures, and applicable regulations, and represent BHS professionally 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 and participate in committees as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.