Adult Peer Support Specialist - Emerald (1st Shift)

The Adult Peer Support Specialist must be registered with the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors as either a Temporary Registered Alcohol and Drug Peer Support Specialist or a Registered Alcohol and Drug Peer Support Specialist. The Adult Peer Support Specialist utilizes and shares personal experience as a recipient of behavioral health services to benefit the team and its clients. Serves as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management and the persistence required by clients. Provides peer counseling and consultation to clients, families and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, education, support and consultation as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Assist clients in identifying and setting recovery goals, including developing coping skills, managing triggers, and accessing community resources.
• Provide expertise and consultation to the entire team from a behavioral health consumer perspective concerning clients’ experiences on symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders, the effects and side-effects of medications, clients’ responses to, and opinions of, treatment, as well as clients’ experiences of recovery.
• Help clients to identify, understand and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Facilitate peer-led groups and activities focused on recovery topics such as relapse prevention, coping skills, and personal growth.
• Model healthy behavior and life skills to promote positive change in recovery.
• Encourage and support client engagement in therapy, treatment planning, and other program activities.
• Help clients establish and maintain relationships with support systems, including family, friends, and community resources.
• Maintain documentation as required by program policies and confidentiality standards.
• Participate in training, workshops, and supervision to enhance professional development and personal growth.
• Complete after-care contact to check in on client progress and provide reminders of upcoming appointments.
• Ensure that all client information is kept confidential and secure in accordance with federal, state, and program-specific confidentiality guidelines, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations for substance use treatment.
• Remain in compliance of Kentucky regulation 908 KAR 2:220 for Adult Peer Support regarding training, continuing education, and supervision.
• Other duties as needed or assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Registration with the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors as either a TRADPSS or RADPSS required.
• Past or present consumer of behavioral health (mental health or substance use) treatment with a history of sufficient progression toward recovery.
• Experience working directly with individuals in a service-oriented field is preferred but not required.
• Valid KY driver’s license and clean driving record to be insurable by agency liability insurance company.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of beginning employment.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with behavioral health diagnoses.
• Ability to work under pressure, to listen to client’s concerns and recommend and/or take appropriate action.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while sharing lived experience.
• Empathy, compassion, and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in recovery.
• Ability to work in a setting that may involve managing potentially challenging situations with clients.
• Computer literate, including basic Microsoft applications