Peer Specialist

North Central Health Care•Town of Wausau, WI

35d•$17 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist provides recovery-oriented support and rehabilitation services to people experiencing challenges related to substance use disorders, including clients in the Substance Use Program and residents of Sober Living Homes. Drawing on personal lived experience in recovery, the specialist offers encouragement, mentorship, and belonging, and works with the treatment team to support wellness, self-direction, and recovery. The role empowers clients living with mental health and/or substance use disorders by building trust and fostering connection, independence, and community involvement. The position is full-time and in person. Work takes place in office and community settings, including Sober Living Homes and partner organizations, with frequent travel within and occasionally outside the county. The role includes transporting clients as needed and requires regular interaction with clients, staff, and community partners. North Central Health Care has more than 600 professionals and provides care across mental health treatment, addiction services, long-term and short-term care, physical therapy, crisis stabilization, and other areas.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Wisconsin State Peer Support Specialist certification, or completion of approved Peer Specialist training (CCAR or equivalent) within two weeks of hire.
Valid Wisconsin driver's license and unrestricted driving privileges throughout employment.
Authorization to operate any vehicle needed to transport clients, patients, or staff as required by the position.
Lived experience in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges, with the ability to apply that experience professionally.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of relevant experience in peer support, recovery services, or behavioral health.
Familiarity with recovery-based practices, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

Use lived recovery experience to engage, encourage, and empower clients in their recovery.
Share personal strategies, coping tools, and recovery principles to model hope and self-efficacy.
Help clients set personal goals, develop individualized recovery plans, and build natural community supports.
Advocate for client needs in team meetings and community appointments, and teach self-advocacy skills.
Help clients access housing, treatment, education, and community-based support resources.
Develop and co-facilitate group sessions on wellness, relapse prevention, and community integration.
Educate clients about recovery concepts, harm reduction, and substance use awareness.
Encourage and provide feedback to support client motivation and progress toward goals.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and communicate professionally with clients, staff, and community partners.
Participate in treatment planning, clinical supervision, and program development meetings.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with agency and billing requirements.
Protect confidentiality and comply with HIPAA standards and agency policies.
Participate in program quality improvement and outcomes monitoring.
Recognize potential crises, provide proactive support, use de-escalation and motivational techniques, and collaborate with the team on emergent needs and follow-up.
Maintain Peer Specialist certification and continuing education requirements; participate in supervision, staff meetings, and relevant professional training.
Maintain ethical boundaries, confidentiality, and recovery-based values.
Transport clients throughout the community when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

PTO.
Paid holidays.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
On-site bistro and cafeteria.
On-site pharmacy.
Life insurance.
Accident insurance.
Hospital insurance.
Employee assistance program.
Employee discounts.
Eligibility for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a hybrid defined benefit plan with defined contribution elements; participating staff contribute 7.2%, matched 100% by NCHC each pay period.