The Peer Support Specialist provides mentorship, advocacy, and recovery coaching to individuals navigating mental health or substance use recovery. They facilitate support groups, assist in developing wellness plans, and collaborate with case managers to link clients to community resources.
Requirements summary
Candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED and possess a certification through the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP). Applicants must have at least two years of personal recovery experience and the ability to pass a background check and drug screening.
high schoolprofessional certificateCommunicationAdvocacyDocumentationMentorshipHIPAA complianceCase managementElectronic health recordsGroup facilitationProfessional ethicsPeer supportMicrosoft officeCrisis de-escalationRecovery coachingWellness recovery action planning
Job description
Job DetailsJob Location
Buckhannon - 22
N
Locust
St -
Buckhannon,
WV 26201Position
Type:
Full
TimeEducation
Level:
High
SchoolSalary
Range: $15.00 - $20.00
HourlyPosition
Summary: A Peer Support Specialist in West Virginia is someone with lived experience in recovery (mental health and/or substance use) who helps others navigate recovery, treatment, and community resources. They provide mentorship, encouragement, advocacy, and recovery coaching using their own recovery experience.
Essential
Job
Functions: Provide recovery support to consumers Conducts skills building groups and other activities as assigned by the supervisor Acts as an appropriate role model for consumers Provides coaching and mentoring services to consumers as assigned by the supervisor Serve as a family/individual representative and advocate in program/agency activities. Assist in the facilitation of individual/family support and educational groups. Provide Peer support to individuals by using personal and professional life experiences. Work in partnership with the case manager provider to link individuals to needed services. Respond to the needs and preferences of individuals, stakeholders and system partners. Assist individuals to identify and build natural supports as well as self-advocacy and self-efficacy skills. Help individuals identify strengths and recognize successes to promote self-esteem and empowerment. Actively promote and educate individuals on program is and availability peer support services at any point in treatment. Assist individuals to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan when needed. Document one-to-one sessions, telephone calls and/or visits with families/individuals to reflect their supportive role. Provide peer support services to additional populations, as needed Participate in case conference Understands HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality Participate in performance improvement activities Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation. Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position. Perform any other duties as assigned.
QualificationsEssential
Qualifications:
Certifications/Licensures: Certification through West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) Must pass Peer Recovery Support Specialist exam Must complete training hours (approx. 40–75 hours depending on program)
Education:
High school diploma or
GED
Experience and
Competencies: Must be a current or former substance abuse or mental health care service recipient who is engaged in own recovery for a minimum of two years demonstrated by an effort of self-directed recovery. May not be a current recipient of residential care. Experience working with individuals diagnosed with mental health/ substance abuse population is preferred Must have reliable means of transportation Must have availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends. During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you. Maintains confidential files and records. Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form with consumers, peers, and staff Demonstrates good reliability in attendance Demonstrates an ability to meet deadlines and to complete tasks Ability to use time efficiently Ability to follow policies and procedures Ability to respond appropriately to supervisory directives or negotiate appropriately Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate ethical principles and practices Ability to recognize and maintain appropriate boundaries with consumers, peers, staff, and supervisors Ability to treat others with dignity and respect Understanding of federal, state, and agency standards regarding the confidentiality of consumer information and the ability to maintain confidential information The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer to utilize the support systems and community resources available. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret agency and grant required documents Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints Ability to write routine reports and correspondence as well as speak effectively before groups (family, youth, staff and community) is preferred Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts. Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values Knowledge of Incident Reporting Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality Familiarity with WestCare services and programs The ability to identify the needs of a consumer that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer to utilize the support systems and community resources available. Demonstrates ability to work effectively with staff and consumers Demonstrated respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with staff and consumers Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others. Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time. Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare. Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision Maintains a positive attitude toward work Ensures and maintains a safe working environment. Work area is clean and orderly. Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures. Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures Presents a positive personal image Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test. Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite Ability to utilize internal electronic health record software Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.
Working
Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or outpatient treatment setting; and Some outdoor activities may be required. Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:
Physical
Demands:
Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility. The normal work routine may involve exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.
Mental
Demands: Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings. The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.
