Peer Support Recovery Specialist

Under supervision, the peer specialist will promote a recovery-based approach to peer care that emphasizes hope, respect, self-direction and empowerment by providing peer support, personal assistance, education on community resources and other supportive services, to aid in peers’ recovery from substance use/co-occurring and mental health challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

50% Coaching and Advocacy

• Provide support to colleagues and peers in daily activities essential to the recovery program objectives, including, but not limited to, screening/intake, strength assessment, orientation, recovery planning, community resources (referrals), peer engagement (recovery check-ups), evaluation (quality/productivity), customer service.

• Provide orientation and information about the human service and behavioral health systems, as well as specific APAA programs and services.

• Provide transportation as assigned to ensure peers access to behavioral health services, as well as other needed community services.

• Assist peers in navigating other human service systems, e.g., legal, medical, DPS, CPS, etc.

• Provide information and assistance in the following activities as assigned: recovery planning, recovery commitment, crisis plans, self-determination, and AA/NA and support meetings.

• Assist peers accessing entitlements food stamps, disability etc.

• Assist peers in securing appropriate housing and employment as indicated in the recovery plan.

• Advocate for peers to ensure non-discrimination and community inclusion.

• Provide recovery support related functions (linking, coordinating, monitoring) or peer coaching/support as assigned and in conjunction with peer’s primary care, behavioral health and other providers.

• Provide supportive services during times of peer crisis/relapse as identified.

• Provide assistance aimed at supporting community functioning and independence, e.g., shopping, laundry, cleaning, budgeting, using public transportation, meeting attendance.

• Facilitate groups and educate peers on personal care/self-help, recovery and relapse prevention skills and other groups/meetings that will initiate and sustain recovery.

• Participate in community events and speaking engagements in an effort to advocate and to provide access to recovery support and services.

• Follow through with peer recovery commitment, plan and make updates/adjustment as needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned in accordance with organization growth and changes.

10% Support

• Relates own recovery process in a positive and supportive manner through coaching, role modeling and mentoring in order to engender understanding, self-confidence and hope for peers and family members to initiate and stain long term recovery.

• Assist peers in developing their own recovery plan and its implementation.

• Lead or co-lead peer delivered recovery groups as assigned.

• Model appropriate and effective coping and self-help recovery skills.

• Communicates any concerns or issues to supervisor.

15% Productivity and Customer Service

• Achieves minimum production requirement in peer attendance, retention, engagement, customer service and service level expectations.

• Provide a tour of facility, engage visitors in lobby and peers in community center.

15% Quality

• Types or legibly writes and submits documents in a timely and accurate manner, including, but not limited to, time sheets, expense/mileage reimbursement, payroll and personnel forms.

• Types or legibly writes and submits complete peer files; including but, not limited to screening/intake, strength assessment, recovery planning, community resources (referrals), peer engagement (recovery check-ups), financial, supporting documentation, release/consent forms, session notes, etc.

• Adhere to HIPAA and Privacy rules. Employee has access to such protected health information as is necessary to perform essential duties (as specified in this job description) that support the treatment, payment and healthcare operations as carried out by APAA. Employee is required to protect confidential health information and privileged communications under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and 42CFR.

5% Communication

• Reads and answers e-mail daily.

• Listens and responds to voice mail/messages within 4 hours of receipt, unless on leave.

5% Training and Development

Attends required annual in-service training and meetings, including but not limited to:

• Job specific training and relative training for advancement.

• Attend meetings as assigned; e.g. recovery, team, supervisor and staff meetings.

• Participate on committees as assigned.

• Receive supervision, training and continued education as required to maintain certification. Attainment/Maintenance of Peer Specialist Certification is mandatory for continued employment.

Behaviors and Attitude

The following behaviors are requirements for your job:

• Is culturally competent in terms of customer service, planning and support.

• Gets along with and cooperates with colleagues.

• Responds politely and respectfully to peers and others.

• Works as a member of a team and is accepting of change and growth.

• Is able to think quickly and act appropriately in emergency or crisis situations.

• Able to function well and perform in a fast paced environment.

• Contributes to a healthy, positive and safe work environment.

• Monitor and enforce the organization policies, procedures, code of ethics and standards.

• Practices recovery in his/her own life. Meet with supervisor on a regular basis to review and adjust self- care plan for own recovery.

Driving Eligibility

Maintaining a driving record which makes you eligible as a driver for coverage under the organization insurance coverage is an essential part of your job.

• As an employee who operates organization vehicles and/or transports peers in the course of your job duties, you will be required to provide a copy of your driving record and notify HR if you incur new violations.

• Employees driving their own vehicle for organization business is required to maintain the minimum state required insurance and provide their drivers record.

Special Demands/Physical Requirements:

• Medium to heavy lifting, including supplies and small equipment.

• Rotating schedule, including weekend, evening and holiday work in connection with performing essential functions of job.

• Participate and support all recovery month activities. (no time scheduled off in September).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Must be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Must have at least 2 years sobriety in recovery and/or a co-occurring mental health challenges OR a person affected by addiction with at least 2 years of recovery support experience.

• Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health and recovery principles.

• Must have completed RSPS or MHPS training OR obtain within 6 months of employment.

• Must have strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. The ability to relate well to people of all ages, cultural and religious backgrounds is required.

• Intermediate computer skills required; use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and EHR.

• Must be flexible, highly organized and have the ability to work within a team structure.

• Reliable transportation, valid state of Texas driver’s license, and current automobile liability insurance.

APAA is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $17.00 per hour

COVID-19 considerations:

APAA Recovery Community Center is limited to 50 persons in the facility. To ensure the health and wellness of our visitors, APAA has installed a Plexiglas screen in our lobby for walk-in appointments, group or coaching sessions, and our employees capture staff and visitor temperatures upon arrival. Masks must be worn at all times.

Follow these steps to submit your employment application:

Step 1. Download the application

Step 2. Fill out the application completely

Step 3. Email the application to HRdepartment@apaarecovery.org