Peer Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Interested in turning your passion for recovery into a rewarding career? 

Join us on the front lines as direct care staff, working alongside top-notch professionals and learning from the best in the addiction treatment industry. 

At Hanley Foundation, we provide a comprehensive continuum of individualized alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs and recovery support for adults, including those with co-occurring disorders. Hanley's treatment approach unites effective addiction medicine and evidence-based clinical strategies with a profound immersion in the timeless 12-step experience. As one of the nation’s premier alcohol and drug addiction treatment providers, we embrace both the individual and the family because we know first-hand that the disease of addiction can be devastating to everyone involved.

The Peer Support Specialist provides encouragement, guidance, and hope to individuals receiving behavioral health and/or substance use disorder services. When appropriate, the Specialist draws on personal recovery experience to build trust, demonstrate that recovery is possible, and support positive change. The Specialist serves as a role model and member of the treatment team while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. This role helps patients identify strengths, set recovery goals, develop coping strategies, navigate care systems, and connect with community resources.

The Peer Support Specialist does not provide clinical therapy, diagnosis, or other services outside the scope of their training and certification.

Duties & Responsibilities:  

• Establish positive, respectful, and recovery-oriented relationships with patients.
• Use personal recovery experiences appropriately to provide hope, encouragement, and practical support.
• Listen to patients' experiences without judgment and provide encouragement throughout the recovery process.
• Help patients identify personal strengths, interests, goals, and recovery resources.
• Assist patients in developing individualized recovery and wellness support plans.
• Encourage patients to actively participate in their treatment and recovery.
• Support patients in identifying and practicing healthy coping skills.
• Model appropriate communication, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and recovery behaviors.
• Advocate for patients' needs while promoting self-advocacy and independence.
• Assist patients with identifying barriers to successful recovery and developing strategies to address those barriers.
• Support patients with transitions between levels of care and community-based services. 
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Communicate relevant observations and patient needs to appropriate clinical staff.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, case consultations, and other meetings as assigned.
• Collaborate with counselors, therapists, case managers, medical staff, and other members of the treatment team.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries and operate within the scope of the Peer Support Specialist role.
• Follow all organizational policies, procedures, safety requirements, and applicable behavioral health regulations.
• Complete required documentation accurately, objectively, and within established timeframes.
• Document peer support services, patient contacts, interventions, referrals, and outcomes as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect patient information in accordance with organizational policies and applicable privacy regulations.
• Recognize  changes in patient behavior or presentation that may indicate emotional distress, relapse, or a potential crisis.
• Immediately communicate significant concerns to the appropriate clinical or supervisory staff.
• Follow established crisis response, emergency, and safety procedures.
• Maintain awareness of the physical and emotional safety of patients, staff, and visitors.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:  

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current Peer Support Specialist certification is required.
• Personal lived experience with behavioral health and/or substance use recovery appropriate to the organization's peer support model.
• Completion of required state, organizational, or credentialing training.
• Previous experience working in a behavioral health, substance use disorder, recovery, or community services setting is preferred.
• Must demonstrate the ability to maintain personal recovery stability and appropriate professional boundaries while supporting others.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, listening, and relationship-building skills.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  

• Ability to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong active listening and communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, compassion, patience, and respect.
• Ability to recognize signs of distress and appropriately communicate concerns.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to  remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Ability to advocate appropriately while encouraging patient self-advocacy.
• Ability to document services accurately and timely.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use electronic health record systems.
• Understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches to care.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Ability to interact with patients in residential, outpatient, community, and/or other behavioral health settings as assigned.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the work environment as necessary.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, staff, and community partners.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or varying schedules based on program needs.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance 
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance (employer-paid)
• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance      on the first of the month following the hire date
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) & 401(k) Matching
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account

 
Hanley Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Hanley Foundation is a Drug-Free Workplace. After receiving a conditional offer of employment, job applicants are required to undergo drug screening.

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