Peer Support Specialist

Watsontown Comprehensive Treatment Center • Watsontown, PA

22d • Onsite

About The Position

Watsontown Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), part of Acadia Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers, provides outpatient medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. The Peer Support Specialist supports patients in recovery by helping remove barriers to treatment and connecting them with the people and services that can support productive, long-term recovery. The role helps patients develop skills and build on strengths to avoid relapse and navigate the continuum of care. The position is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, during clinical operating hours of 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• WVCBAPP Peer Recovery Certification (PRSS) required.
• No previous field work experience is required.
• Ability to support patients in recovery from opioid use disorder and help them navigate treatment and recovery services.

Nice To Haves

• College degree preferred.
• Previous work experience in the field is highly preferred.
• Direct experience with substance use disorder through personal experience, instruction, internships, or similar educational or certification practicum is preferred.
• Personal or professional experience in addiction recovery, ideally including lived experience and a demonstrated commitment to supporting others in recovery.
• Familiarity with MAT approaches, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.
• Experience facilitating peer-led support groups or providing one-on-one recovery coaching focused on empowerment, motivation, and goal setting.
• Understanding of recovery-oriented and evidence-informed practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, wellness planning, and relapse-prevention support; the role is not expected to provide clinical therapy.
• Basic documentation skills, including progress notes and recovery plan updates.
• Awareness of confidentiality and privacy standards, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, in peer-support and behavioral-health settings.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary care team, collaborating with counselors, nurses, case managers, and medical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to clinically complex patients, drawing on common experiences to validate their experiences and encourage responsibility and active participation in recovery.
• Engage patients referred to treatment at their initial point of contact at the clinic or through another community provider, helping expedite screening for the appropriate level of care.
• Advocate for and mentor patients to promote decision-making, empowerment, and engagement.
• Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies that support personal growth, stress management, health, wellness, and positive lifestyle choices.
• Provide peer-support information about treatment, including methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone maintenance treatment.
• Liaise among patients, the clinical team, and community resources to help patients access services and sustain recovery.
• Help patients acquire housing, necessities, and the skills needed for household responsibilities and independent living.
• Help patients establish relationships with primary care providers and obtain additional medical care through a coordinated approach.
• Connect patients with area employers to assist them in obtaining and maintaining employment.
• Help patients develop life and social skills and access education and other resources identified as supporting quality of life after recovery.
• Serve as a subject matter resource on MAT and patient participation in community support groups, including Narcotics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery.
• Regularly update the healthcare team about patient status, including changes in mood or functioning, medical issues, and crisis, health, or safety concerns.
• Document no-shows and communicate difficulties contacting patients to appropriate office staff.
• Document services regularly, concisely, and completely according to clinical standards and policy guidelines.
• Attend office trainings and regular clinical supervision sessions with the assigned supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Competitive 401(k) plan
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Early morning hours offering work/life balance
• Opportunity for growth
• Eligible positions may qualify for student loan forgiveness through HRSA, depending on clinic site eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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