First Responder Peer Support

Overview

Company Summary

If you are searching for a fulfilling place to develop your career and an opportunity to make a difference in helping others, then keep reading on. Here at AAC, we have a progressive culture; we listen to your ideas, value a work/life balance, invest in education, and we foster trust and respect for all individuals. Our exceptional comp and strong benefits include 401K, medical, dental, vision and life insurance. We are looking for our future leaders, who are not only going to fill the qualifications for this job description, but who are going to exceed expectations. Be a part of a team whose mission is to provide quality, compassionate, and innovative care to adults struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our purpose and passion are to empower patients, their families, and our communities by helping individuals achieve recovery and optimal wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.

Responsibilities

Job Summary:

The First Responder Peer Support role is a full-time position dedicated to fostering a supportive, structured, and welcoming experience for first responder patients receiving care at Desert Hope Treatment Center. This position serves as the primary ambassador for Desert Hope's specialized First Responder Program by educating referral partners on available treatment services, admission criteria, programming, confidentiality protections, and the continuum of care.

 

This is a non-clinical, community-facing role that supports overall treatment engagement, reinforces cultural competence within the facility, and elevates the experience for those who have served.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Welcoming First Responders

• Greet incoming first responder patients to foster a sense of safety and belonging.
• Conduct orientation sessions tailored to first responders, helping them understand treatment expectations in familiar language and structure.
• Reinforce the first responder identity throughout the treatment experience, helping the patient transition from service environments into therapeutic care.
• Participate in local first responder community affairs in Las Vegas and Clark County.

Therapeutic Support

• Act as a peer liaison between first responder patients and clinicians, helping to translate concerns, clarify expectations, and improve therapeutic engagement when requested.
• Participate in case reviews when requested to offer insights into a first responder’s treatment experience, mindset, or potential barriers.
• Lead or co-lead optional peer-based support groups or check-ins tailored to first responder experience (non-clinical).

First Responder Benefits Navigation

• Assist first responder patients with understanding how to access or coordinate their first responder benefits, including follow-up appointments or travel benefits, in collaboration with case management.
• Help identify potential service-connected issues that may require external referrals (e.g., mental health, housing, disability claims).
• Educate first responder patients on community resources available through outside organizations post-treatment.

First Responder Bearing & Discipline

• Reinforce boundaries, structure, and accountability in a respectful and motivational manner that reflects first-responder standards.
• Support staff in interpreting and managing behaviors that may be unique to first responders (e.g., hypervigilance, distrust, formality).
• Help maintain a therapeutic culture rooted in mutual respect, resilience, and purpose.

Outreach Visits & Follow-Up

• Support logistics and preparation for scheduled outside appointments during treatment stays, helping patients stay organized and on track.
• Collaborate with the clinical team and case managers to ensure first responder related documents, updates, or communications are timely and clear.
• Liaise with first responder liaisons when needed to facilitate smooth coordination of care.
• This includes transporting the first responder clients to outside facilities for appointments and scheduled Meetings. 

Family Connections

• Assist first responder patients in communicating with spouses, children, or loved ones about treatment, progress, or ongoing needs.
• Support families in understanding the structure of treatment and how to navigate post-discharge reintegration or follow-up care.
• Help facilitate virtual or in-person family support sessions in partnership with clinical staff.

First Responder Recognition

• Organize or participate in recognition events tied to first responder-specific traditions.
• Reinforce moments of progress and recovery milestones through the lens of service and personal honor.
• Maintain a visible presence on the unit as a symbol of peer success and accountability.

Qualifications

 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Former first responder.
• Lived experience navigating first responder systems and culture. 
• Experience working with first responder agencies, public safety organizations, populations, or behavioral healthcare.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain high-level professional relationships.
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, networking, and public speaking skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned market.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in a behavioral health setting.
• Comfort working as a non-clinical team member within a clinical environment.
• Reporting to the Desert Hope Executive Director and providing information between the Desert Hope and the First Responder Liaisons and BD Reps, as requested.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License
• Must have an insurable driving record.
• Working knowledge of vehicle safety and control systems.
• Knowledge of DOT regulations governing safe driving, hours of service, inspection, and maintenance.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of behavioral health, addiction treatment, trauma-informed care, PTSD, and first responder culture.
• Relevant behavioral health, business development, or public safety certifications are a plus.
• Familiarity with public safety organizational structures and peer support models.
• Experience working with municipalities, unions, EAPs, or public safety leadership.
• Previous experience in peer support, case management, or related human services
• Familiarity with substance use disorder recovery and behavioral health treatment models

 

Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid driver's license required.
• BLS or CPR certification required

 

Physical Requirements

AAC is committed to principles of equal opportunities for all employees.  The Company will provide reasonable accommodations that are necessary to comply with State and Federal disability discrimination laws.

• Prolonged sitting at a desk
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time

 

American Addiction Centers is an equal opportunity employer.  American Addiction Centers prohibit employment practices that discriminate against individuals or groups of employees based on age, color disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other category deemed protected by state and/or federal law.