Certified Peer Specialist

Job DetailsJob Location: Brunswick, GA 31520Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High School / GEDJob Shift: EveningThe Certified Peer Specialist is an individual who has progressed in their own recovery journey and utilizes lived experience to promote recovery, self-determination, empowerment, hope, and resilience for individuals receiving behavioral health and substance use disorder services. This position provides structured peer support services that encourage socialization, wellness, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, community integration, and recovery-oriented living skills. The Certified Peer Specialist serves as a role model for recovery while collaborating with interdisciplinary treatment teams to support positive consumer outcomes. Primary Responsibilities, but not limited to: Provides peer support and recovery-oriented services. Assists consumers in achieving recovery and wellness goals. Maintains accurate and timely documentation. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning and team meetings. Supports community outreach and engagement activities. Connects consumers to community resources and support systems. Promotes self-advocacy, empowerment, and independent living skills. Serves as a recovery role model and mentor. Essential Functions: Peer Support and Recovery Services Provides peer support services that promote recovery, wellness, self-determination, and personal responsibility. Shares lived experience appropriately to instill hope and encourage recovery. Facilitates structured peer support activities that foster socialization, self-advocacy, and community integration. Assists consumers in building natural support systems and developing independent living skills. Supports consumers in identifying strengths, setting goals, and achieving recovery objectives. Provides information regarding community resources, support services, and recovery opportunities. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and collaborates with treatment providers as appropriate. Productivity Standards Meets established direct service productivity standards. Maintains individual billed hours and target staff hour expectations. Maintains daily attendance and participation requirements consistent with program guidelines. Maintains assigned caseload responsibilities and service expectations. Provides services in accordance with approved staffing ratios and program requirements. Documentation and Compliance Records services accurately and timely in accordance with treatment goals and service requirements. Completes required clinical documentation in accordance with agency standards. Maintains documentation in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensures services provided are authorized and documented appropriately. Completes service notes in CareLogic within 24 hours of service delivery. Maintains documentation quality standards and satisfactory audit scores. Addresses and corrects documentation deficiencies within required timeframes. Ensures treatment plans and service orders remain current and compliant. Resolves failed activities and claims within established timelines. Maintains compliance with all mandatory training requirements, including Relias and Human Resources training. Community Outreach Collaborates with behavioral health, substance use disorder, and community providers to support consumer engagement and continuity of care. Assists consumers with successful transitions between inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services. Promotes awareness of recovery-oriented services and community resources. Builds and maintains positive relationships with consumers, families, caregivers, and community partners. Corporate Responsibilities Treats consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and community partners with dignity and respect. Provides high-quality customer service focused on positive health and recovery outcomes. Performs job responsibilities in a competent, ethical, and professional manner. Utilizes organizational resources effectively, efficiently, and responsibly. Contributes to an environment that encourages teamwork, creativity, innovation, and recovery-focused services.   QualificationsRequired Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. Current Georgia Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) certification required. Completion of a minimum of forty (40) hours of Certified Peer Specialist training. Lived experience with recovery and ability to appropriately utilize personal recovery experience in the provision of peer support services. Upon appointment to the position, the employee assumes responsibility for meeting and maintaining all minimum qualification requirements, including applicable certifications, licenses, continuing education, competency validations, and mandatory annual or recurrent training. Failure to maintain such requirements may affect eligibility to perform assigned duties.   Required Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge of serious mental illness, substance use disorders, recovery principles, and peer support practices. Knowledge of consumer rights and applicable federal, state, and agency policies and procedures. Knowledge of client record documentation requirements and service plan implementation. Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures and protocols. Knowledge of peer support group facilitation and recovery-oriented service delivery. Ability to observe, document, and report consumer progress and functioning. Ability to understand assessments, evaluations, observations, and service plans. Ability to assist consumers in building independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Ability to empower consumers to explore resources, opportunities, relationships, and support systems. Ability to communicate effectively with consumers, families, caregivers, and community partners. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries. Ability to work independently under general supervision. Ability to establish priorities and manage assigned responsibilities. Ability to assist consumers in obtaining income supports, entitlement benefits, and healthcare coverage. Ability to connect consumers with housing, healthcare, vocational, educational, and recovery resources. Strong interpersonal, engagement, and active listening skills.   Work Environment: This position operates in a variety of office, clinic, and community-based environments. The role routinely uses computers, telephones, printers, photocopiers, and other office equipment. Moderate travel between Gateway sites and throughout the community may be required. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Frequently walks, sits, stands, and kneels. Occasionally climbs, balances, bends, and stoops. Frequently lifts and/or moves up to 15 pounds. Works at a computer for extended periods. Frequently utilizes fine hand-eye coordination, hearing, and visual acuity. Travels between Gateway sites and community locations as required. Works in both indoor and outdoor environments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Gateway CSB promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through mandatory pre-employment drug testing. Terms & Conditions: Reports to work when scheduled and begins and ends work as expected. Reports anticipated tardiness or absence to the supervisor. Observes policies regarding meal and break periods. Uses work time appropriately and efficiently. Requests and utilizes leave appropriately. Maintains a professional appearance in accordance with site dress code requirements. Observes health, safety, and sanitation policies. Performs work according to all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Ensures licensure and certification are current and active without suspension or revocation throughout employment. Ensures compliance with required training, including new employee orientation. Does not engage in activities other than official business during work hours. Does not report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Adheres to Gateway’s Standards of Conduct 3.13 and Employee Ethics 3.23. May be required to remain at or return to work during agency incidents or emergencies and may work non-traditional schedules as necessary to support agency operations. 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 in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.