Peer Support Specialist

*Job Summary*
We are seeking a compassionate and energetic Peer Support Specialist to empower individuals navigating behavioral health challenges. In this vital role, you will serve as a relatable guide, offering peer-led support, mentorship, and crisis intervention to foster recovery and resilience. Your lived experience combined with professional skills will help create a safe, encouraging environment where clients feel understood, motivated, and supported on their journey toward mental wellness. This paid position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives while working within a dynamic, team-oriented setting.

*Responsibilities*

* Provide empathetic peer support to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges, utilizing your personal recovery experience to inspire hope and motivation.
* Assist clients in developing coping strategies and engaging in behavioral health and addiction counseling techniques tailored to their unique needs.
* Conduct crisis intervention and crisis management when clients are in distress, ensuring safety and stabilization through active listening and de-escalation techniques.
* Mentor clients by fostering trust, encouraging goal setting, and promoting engagement with treatment plans and community resources.
* Collaborate with clinical teams to coordinate care plans, document progress using Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, and track client outcomes accurately.
* Utilize motivational interviewing skills to empower clients to make positive behavioral changes and sustain recovery efforts.
* Support clients in navigating social services, housing, employment resources, and other community supports vital for holistic well-being.
* Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all privacy regulations while documenting interactions and interventions thoroughly.

*Qualifications*

* Lived experience with mental health conditions or substance use recovery that qualifies you as a peer supporter; certification or training is preferred but not mandatory.
* Strong skills in crisis intervention and crisis management with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
* Knowledge of behavioral health principles, mental health counseling techniques, addiction counseling, and social work practices.
* Experience with motivational interviewing methods that foster client engagement and empowerment.
* Familiarity with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems for documentation purposes.
* Excellent mentoring abilities with a compassionate approach that builds trust and rapport.
* Effective communication skills—active listening, empathy, clarity—and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
* Ability to handle sensitive situations discreetly while maintaining professionalism at all times. Join us as a Peer Support Specialist if you're passionate about making a tangible difference in people's lives through shared experience, active support, and unwavering encouragement!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Education:
* High school or equivalent (Preferred)

License/Certification:
* CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (Required)

Ability to Commute:
* Mount Airy, NC 27030 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:
* Mount Airy, NC 27030: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:
* 50% (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mount Airy, NC 27030