Crisis Peer Support Specialist

CAYA Collaborative Care • Hopkinsville, KY

8d • $35,880 - $35,880

About The Position

The Crisis Peer Support Specialist provides peer recovery support to people experiencing or recovering from mental health or substance use crises. Drawing on lived experience and peer support principles, the position promotes hope, resilience, recovery, and connection to services. The Specialist works with crisis teams to support intervention, stabilization, follow-up, and continuity of care using person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented practices.

Crisis Services operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though hours vary by program. Schedules are based on program needs and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call responsibilities. Services may be provided by telephone, text, virtually, or in clinic-based, residential, or community-based settings, as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Meet applicable Kentucky peer support eligibility and certification requirements for the assigned services, including required training, examination, and ongoing supervision; obtain or maintain certification within timelines permitted by applicable law and organizational policy.
• At least one year of sustained recovery from substance use and/or mental health conditions, with a commitment to continued recovery and the ability to use lived experience appropriately in supporting others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, build rapport, maintain professional boundaries, and work collaboratively with individuals and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to use electronic records, communication systems, and other technology required by the assigned program.
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and proof of automobile insurance.
• Maintain required peer support credentials, training, supervision, and ethical standards.
• Practice within the scope of peer support services and seek clinical or supervisory assistance when needs exceed that scope.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy, security, documentation, and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, cultural responsiveness, accountability, and respect for individual choice and recovery.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered, trauma-informed peer support practices and community resources preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to individuals experiencing or recovering from behavioral health crises, using lived experience appropriately to foster trust, hope, engagement, and recovery.
• Collaborate with crisis staff and other providers to support timely, coordinated, person-centered services within the assigned program.
• Help individuals identify personal strengths, goals, coping strategies, wellness supports, and practical steps toward recovery and stability.
• Support engagement with services and ongoing supports through outreach, follow-up contacts, encouragement, and assistance addressing barriers to care, as assigned.
• Provide peer-based emotional support, advocacy, education, and resource navigation while respecting individual choice, autonomy, and self-determination.
• Support implementation and reinforcement of established safety, wellness, recovery, and crisis plans within training and program protocols; refer clinical assessment and treatment decisions to qualified personnel.
• Recognize and promptly communicate changes in presentation, safety concerns, or requests for additional assistance to appropriate clinical or supervisory personnel in accordance with escalation procedures.
• Help individuals identify and access behavioral health, substance use, medical, social, and community resources, including coordinating referrals and connections when appropriate.
• Collaborate with families, natural supports, internal programs, and community partners as appropriate and with required consent or other lawful authorization.
• Provide support through approved service modalities and settings as assigned, which may include telephone, text, virtual, clinic-based, residential, or community-based services.
• Facilitate or assist with peer support groups, recovery activities, educational opportunities, and community engagement when applicable to the assigned program.
• Assist with transportation coordination or transportation services when authorized by organizational policy and assigned duties.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation of contacts, outreach attempts, services, referrals, and other required program information.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, program development, quality assurance, and continuous improvement activities.
• Follow organizational policies, peer support ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, applicable laws, accreditation standards, and program or funding requirements.
• Work assigned schedules and assist with coverage or on-call responsibilities when applicable to the program and position.
• Perform other related duties within the scope of peer support certification, training, and role responsibilities.
• Maintain required peer support credentials, training, supervision, and ethical standards applicable to the assigned role.
• Practice within the scope of peer support services and seek clinical or supervisory assistance when needs exceed that scope.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy, security, documentation, and organizational requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, cultural responsiveness, accountability, and respect for individual choice and recovery.
• Live the company's core values: integrity, teamwork, trust and respect, care and compassion, and ownership and accountability.

What This Job Offers

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