Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

Location: Union, MO

Department: Recovery Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary:

Are you passionate about helping others find hope, healing, and lasting recovery? Join our compassionate, collaborative team as a Peer Specialist and use your lived experience to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals navigating mental health and substance use recovery. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to inspire others through your recovery journey, build supportive relationships, help individuals achieve personal goals, connect people with valuable community resources, and contribute to a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving lives. We are seeking an empathetic, dependable, and recovery-focused individual who is committed to empowering others while fostering resilience, independence, and wellness.

The Peer Specialist emphasizes the acquisition, development, and expansion of recovery skills needed for individuals to fully engage in their recovery journey. Through a unique therapeutic relationship built on shared lived experience, the Peer Specialist supports individuals and their families by promoting recovery, resilience, self-advocacy, and personal growth. Services are provided through individual and group interactions that focus on rehabilitation, recovery planning, community integration, and the development of natural support systems.

This position offers:

• Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
• Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
• Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
• Workplace Culture – An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
• Additional Perks & Benefits – Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

Key Responsibilities:

· Support individuals in developing and achieving recovery goals identified within their individualized treatment and recovery plans

· Share lived recovery experiences to encourage hope, resilience, self-advocacy, and successful recovery behaviors

· Facilitate individual and group peer support services focused on rehabilitation, recovery, and community integration

· Assist individuals in identifying strengths, developing coping skills, and utilizing recovery tools to manage mental health and substance use challenges

· Connect individuals with community resources, mutual aid groups, and natural support networks that promote recovery and independence

· Encourage individuals to make informed choices and take an active role in their treatment and recovery process

· Communicate regularly with referral sources, guardians, and treatment team members regarding progress, transition planning, and relevant clinical concerns

· Participate in staffing and treatment team meetings to support continuity of care

· Coordinate referrals and assist individuals in accessing services that are not available within the treatment program

· Assist with scheduling treatment services and arranging transportation as needed

· Provide crisis intervention and support when necessary

· Document services in accordance with applicable state regulations and CARF standards

· Participate in ongoing professional development and complete required training hours

· Represent the organization in a professional manner at all times

· Perform other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

· Self-identify as a present or former recipient of mental health services, a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, or a person in recovery from a mental health condition

· High school diploma or equivalent required

· Complete a state-approved Peer Specialist training program and, if required, successfully pass a standardized examination

· Missouri Only: Complete the required Peer Specialist application process through the State of Missouri-approved program

· Missouri Only: If required, complete a 5-Day Basic Training Program and pass a State of Missouri-approved certification examination within six months

· Basic knowledge of case management, rehabilitation methods, and recovery-oriented services related to mental health and substance use treatment

· Knowledge of community resources available to individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders

· Knowledge of legal requirements, treatment approaches, and recovery support models related to behavioral health services

· Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and maintain concise documentation

· Ability to connect individuals to recovery resources and community-based supports

· Ability to share lived experience appropriately while maintaining professional boundaries

Additional Qualifications:

· Must be at least 21 years of age

· Current driver's license required

· Acceptable driving record required

· Current automobile insurance required

· Pass background check or obtain an approved exception to findings when applicable

· Successful completion of background screening including criminal history, driving record, abuse/neglect screening, and fingerprint check

· Must attain First Aid certification within three (3) months of employment and maintain certification thereafter

· Must attain CPR certification within three (3) months of employment and maintain certification thereafter

· Must attain Behavioral Management training within thirty (30) days of employment or the first available class after hire

· Must attain thirty-six (36) hours of required training within each two-year period in accordance with applicable regulations

Physical Requirements:

· Perform sedentary work involving exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently

· Lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects within sedentary work requirements

· Perform repetitive movements of the hands, fingers, and arms for typing, writing, and documentation tasks

· Sit for extended periods throughout the workday

· Occasionally stand and walk while performing job duties

Keywords: Peer Specialist, Certified Peer Specialist, Mental Health Recovery, Substance Use Recovery, Recovery Services, Behavioral Health, Peer Support, Community Support, Crisis Intervention, Case Management

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.