PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Job Description

Job Description

PEER SPECIALIST

The Peer Specialist provides recovery-oriented peer support services to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use conditions. Using their own lived experience, the Peer Specialist promotes hope, self-determination, wellness, and recovery while assisting individuals in achieving personal goals. Working as part of an interdisciplinary ACT/ACT Plus team, the Peer Specialist provides advocacy, education, trauma-informed support, and guidance to help individuals build coping skills, strengthen community connections, and improve overall quality of life.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENTSDirect Duties

• Provides peer support services to individuals with mental health and/or substance use conditions.
• Utilizes lived experience to promote recovery, resilience, hope, and self-determination.
• Assists individuals in developing coping skills, wellness strategies, and recovery goals.
• Facilitates peer-led recovery support groups and activities.
• Supports individuals in achieving personal goals related to housing, employment, education, and community integration.
• Assists in developing and implementing person-centered treatment and recovery plans.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Provides advocacy and support for individuals receiving services.
• Assists individuals in preparing for recovery planning meetings and expressing their goals, preferences, and needs.
• Provides education and guidance to team members regarding recovery-oriented practices and peer support principles.
• Engages individuals through outreach, relationship building, and ongoing support.
• Provides crisis intervention and support services as assigned.
• Assists in completing assessments, wellness plans, and other recovery-related documentation.
• Supports the development of natural supports and community connections.
• Encourages independence, self-advocacy, and personal growth.
• Maintains accurate and timely service documentation.
• Documents time worked accurately.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Other Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Ensures confidentiality and maintains professional boundaries at all times.
• Completes and maintains accurate client documentation and records.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and data collection activities.
• Engages in ongoing professional development and required trainings.
• Prepares and submits reports and required program documentation.
• Acts as a liaison with community agencies and external service providers as needed.
• Adheres to OSHA, HIPAA, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Completes Human Resources documentation and required forms within established timeframes.
• Attends all required meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions.
• Maintains professionalism, ethical conduct, and sound judgment in all aspects of employment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with individuals served, families, team members, and community partners.
• Other duties as needed to support program operations.

ADHERE TO AND FOLLOW

• The By-Laws of the Corporation and as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

Job QualificationsEducation and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Lived experience with mental health, substance use recovery, or co-occurring conditions strongly preferred.
• CPR and First Aid Certification required or obtainable upon hire.
• Experience working with underserved populations preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders preferred.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Minimum three (3) years of continuous driving experience.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Effective documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to assess individual needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, leadership, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Basic computer proficiency and familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.

Job CompetenciesEffective Communication

Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals served, team members, supervisors, and community stakeholders.

Ethical Practice & Professional Boundaries

Maintains confidentiality, exercises sound judgment, and adheres to ethical standards and professional boundaries.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Builds rapport and maintains positive, professional relationships with individuals served and community partners.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Works effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team and contributes valuable insight to support positive outcomes.

Cultural Competency

Provides respectful, person-centered support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Assesses situations, identifies needs, and assists individuals in accessing appropriate resources and supports.

Recovery-Oriented Support

Applies peer support principles and lived experience to promote recovery, empowerment, hope, and wellness.

Organization & Time Management

Effectively manages caseload responsibilities, schedules, documentation, and assigned program duties.

Adaptability

Demonstrates flexibility in responding to changing client needs, environments, and program demands.

Documentation Accuracy

Maintains accurate, timely, and regulatory-compliant records in accordance with agency standards.

Network FunctionsVehicle Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance.
• Reliable transportation available for community-based responsibilities.

Equipment/MachinesEquipment Operations

• Cellular and multi-line telephone systems
• Calculator
• Copier
• Fax
• Computer

Computer Software Applications

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Electronic Health Record (EHR/EMR) systems
• Agency-specific software applications

Physical DemandsPhysical Requirements

• Sitting at a desk or meeting table for extended periods.
• Standing and walking throughout office and community settings.
• Reaching, bending, lifting, twisting, and stooping.
• Climbing stairs.
• Driving a vehicle.
• Ability to safely perform community-based support activities.

Lifting Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Working Conditions

• Modern, well-lit office environments.
• Community settings and field-based service locations.
• Multiple office and program locations.
• Multiple levels of stairs with elevator access where available.

ACCIDENT, HEALTH HAZARD AND SECURITY KNOWLEDGE

• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Right-To-Know
• HIPAA
• Security Procedures
• Fire and Safety Regulations

General Requirements

• Maintain and abide by OSHA requirements and guidelines.
• Observe all Fire and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all Fiscal, Office, Human Resources, and Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all HIPAA Policies and maintain confidentiality.
• Attend all required trainings and meetings.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and exercise sound judgment in all employment duties.
• Document time worked accurately.

Drug-Free Workplace Statement

Apis Services maintains a drug-free workplace. As a general policy, pre-employment drug testing is not required for employment with Apis Services.

However, drug and alcohol testing may be required under specific circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Following a work-related vehicle accident, in accordance with applicable policy and legal requirements.
• Following a workplace incident or injury where post-incident or workers’ compensation drug testing is appropriate or required.
• Certain affiliates may be subject to federal, state, licensing, regulatory, contractual, or funding agency requirements that mandate pre-employment or ongoing drug testing for specific positions or programs. In those cases, the affiliate-specific policy will govern those positions.

The statements on these pages reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified. These statements shall not be considered as the detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position. We rely on good judgment, common sense, and teamwork.

From time to time, you may be requested to perform other duties essential to the effective operation of the affiliate. Although these duties may not be identified in this written job description, you will be required to perform such tasks provided appropriate training has been given.