Peer Specialist

Job Description
Job Title: Peer Specialist

Location: Saint Louis, MO

Department: Outpatient Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary
The Peer Specialist is responsible for supporting individuals in their recovery journey by emphasizing the acquisition and development of skills needed for successful recovery. This role involves fostering therapeutic relationships with individuals and their families, sharing lived experiences, and providing peer support to encourage engagement and progress in treatment. Peer Specialists are integral to helping clients set and achieve recovery goals, access resources, and develop a supportive network within their community.

Key Responsibilities

• Recovery Support: Assist individuals in developing treatment plans and recovery goals based on their specific needs and aspirations.
• Collaboration: Maintain regular communication with referral sources, guardians, and other professionals regarding participant progress, treatment planning, and clinical updates.
• Referral Assistance: Make referrals to outside resources when needed, ensuring clients receive the full support necessary for their recovery.
• Scheduling & Transportation: Help clients schedule treatment appointments and provide transportation to and from services as needed.
• Professional Representation: Represent the agency in a professional manner during interactions with clients, family members, and external agencies.
• Medical Referrals: Assist in referring clients to medical professionals for issues outside the scope of mental health or substance use treatment.
• Documentation: Accurately document all peer support services in accordance with state and CARF standards.
• Crisis Intervention: Provide crisis intervention as needed to support clients in moments of distress.
• Group Education: Facilitate group education sessions as scheduled, focusing on recovery skills and mental health support.
• Professional Development: Complete 36 hours of training every two years to maintain certification and enhance professional knowledge.
• Peer Support Activities:
• Use lived experience to encourage, model, and support recovery and resilience.
• Assist individuals in recognizing their capacity for resilience and strength.
• Help individuals connect with others in their recovery community, fostering social support.
• Promote the use of recovery tools, self-help strategies, and community resources.
• Encourage individuals to take an active role in their treatment, empowering them to make informed decisions.
• Support individuals in identifying their personal strengths and resources that aid in their recovery.

Experience And Education Qualifications

• Lived Experience: Must self-identify as a current or former client of mental health or substance use services, or as a person in recovery from mental health or substance use disorder.
• Age Requirement: Must be at least 21 years old.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Background Check: Must pass a background check or request an exception if applicable.
• Certification: Completion of a state-approved training program. If required, passing a standardized certification exam.
• Missouri-Specific: For Missouri residents, complete the application at Missouri Peer Specialist Website and, if required, complete the 5-Day Basic Training Program and pass the Missouri certification exam within six months of employment.

Position Perks & Benefits
Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.