Peer Support Specialist 

Job description: 

• Under the supervision of the Clinical Director or Program Supervisor, the Peer Specialist teaches, supports, and monitors empowerment, self-determination, decision making and individualized service delivery to persons served. 
• The Peer Support Specialist promotes a team culture in which the team recognizes, understands, and respects individual preferences and points of view and ensures that they are integrated into the treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities. 
• Peer Support Specialist assists individuals in a variety of ways, including problem solving, mediation, brief respite, community stabilization and relapse prevention. 
• The Peer Support Specialist provides emotional support to participants to assist their maintenance in the least restrictive setting and to enhance self-sufficiency skills. 
• The Peer Support Specialist communicates emotional and behavioral observations to the treatment team and completes record keeping functions. 
• Caseload and/or billing expectations and requirements must be met on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. 
• Peer Support Specialist will sometimes help with transportation of clients for outings and/or resource connection. 
• The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her supervisor.  

Essential Job Functions: 

• Caseload and/or billing expectations and requirements must be met on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. 
• Establishes a supportive relationship with individuals served. 
• Collaboratively establishes, with the treatment team, a case plan with goals, objectives, and activities. 
• Promotes a culture in the team in which individuals are respected; their viewpoints and personal preferences are integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community support activities. 
• Models, teaches, and supports individuals served in learning empowerment, self-determination and decision-making skills in order to instill and maintain the internal motivation necessary for successful, sustained Recovery.  
• Spends time with individuals and families as assigned and/or as identified on the treatment plan. 
• Participates in treatment team / staffing meetings. 
• Provides recreational and social opportunities to teach, coach, and monitor skills. 
• May help organize family nights and support groups and help the family problem solve when issues arise. 
• Records pertinent information in language that describes observations and actions including interventions, in a complete, concise, and accurate manner. 
• Reports behavioral and emotional observations of individuals and/or family members to the support team. 
• Meets with Clinical Supervisor as required by Montana Board of Behavioral Health Licensing requirements, usually 2 hours per week, or 1 hour/20 hours worked as CBHPSS. 
• Participates in trainings and passes testing required by Recovery Center of Montana. 
• Checks team communications as requested; can identify and differentiate between those situations requiring immediate attention and those that can be scheduled during ‘regular’ working hours. 
• Completes all work within specified time and follows Montana State Law and Recovery Center of Montana policies and procedures. 
• Recognizes the need for professional intervention and makes appropriate referrals to community resources. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: 

• Ability to assess and to respond to the needs of adults. 
• Understanding of community resources and knowledge of how to access services. 
• Understanding of the issues and relationships with a widely diverse group of people and demonstrates healthy interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, adaptability, and models a positive self-concept. 
• Empathy and adequate communication skills (both verbal and written) to establish trusting relationships with participants and staff. 
• Available beyond a nine to five work hour with team support and be able to identify a crisis and to respond accordingly, making necessary referrals to meet participant needs. 
• Must be able to provide transportation, using either company or own vehicle, for participants as required by the agency.  
• Current, valid Montana state driver’s license and comprehensive vehicle insurance. 
• Positive teamwork skills with other staff, participants, and other resources in the community. 
• Sufficient computer skills to enter the required information concerning participants and related statistical data. 
• Clear CFS and criminal background checks. 

 Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications: 

• The Peer Support Specialist is an adult in stable, sustained Recovery (2 years + ) for a diagnosed Substance Use Disorder, a Serious Disabling Mental Health Disorder or Both (co-occurring).  
• Is licensed as Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, or is eligible to be trained and licensed immediately upon hiring. 
• When appropriate, must be willing and able to share personal experiences and strengths with participants to instill confidence and hope that long-term Recovery is possible.   

Salary Description 

• Peer Support Specialist salary is $41,600/year (based upon $20/hour wage) plus as much as $400/week as part of Incentive bonus program.