Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

Description

Since 1972, Therapeutic Health Services (THS) has provided evidence-based, culturally appropriate and compassionate behavioral health treatment, programs and services for children, youth, and families with substance use and mental health disorders. We are on the frontlines:

• Fighting the region’s opioid epidemic
• Providing behavioral health support for those experiencing homelessness
• Lowering barriers to behavioral health for youth and adults who have had challenges accessing quality care
• Specialists in serving the needs of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities
• A family of caring and compassionate providers dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in our community.

 The Mental Health Peer Support Specialist uses their own lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery to provide hope, encouragement, and multi-faceted support to adult clients enrolled in the outpatient program. Working as a key member of a multidisciplinary clinical team, the Peer Specialist helps clients develop self-advocacy skills, identify personal recovery goals, and navigate community-based resources. This role is grounded in trauma-informed, strengths-based care designed to promote long-term independence and wellness. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Direct Peer Mentorship: Share personal recovery stories intentionally to model hope, reduce stigma, and demonstrate successful coping strategies.
• Goal Formulation: Assist clients in articulating their personal goals for recovery, identifying unique barriers, and breaking goals down into achievable objectives.
• Resource Navigation: Help clients find and secure vital community resources, including housing support, social service benefits, employment programs, and primary medical care.
• Group Facilitation: Lead or co-facilitate evidence-based wellness groups, independent living skills classes, and mutual support groups.
• Appointment Accompaniment: Accompany clients to medical, psychiatric, or legal appointments to provide emotional support and assist them in advocating for their own needs.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Participate in weekly clinical staff meetings to communicate client needs, coordinate care plans, and offer a unique peer perspective to clinicians.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain timely, objective electronic health record (EHR) notes summarizing peer interactions, client progress, and resource connections in compliance with state regulations

Requirements

1. Lived Experience: Self-identified personal experience navigating mental health challenges and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, with a demonstrated commitment to personal wellness.
2. Certification: Possession of (or immediate eligibility for) the State Certified Peer Counselor / Peer Support Specialist credential.
3. Education: High school diploma or equivalent General Education Development (GED) required.
4. Communication Skills: Strong active listening, verbal de-escalation, and empathetic communication skills tailored to a diverse adult population.
5. Professional Boundaries: Proven ability to manage personal disclosure, maintain client confidentiality (HIPAA), and establish healthy professional boundaries.
6. Technical Proficiency: Basic computer literacy required for entering treatment team data and charting within an EHR system.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works in an outpatient clinic environment.
• Requires travel within the local community to accompany clients or coordinate with partner agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

· Ability to converse with and listen to people in many different settings

· Ability to use a computer and telephone, as well as other standard office equipment

· Mobility requirements may involve navigating various work areas, including stairs or ramps.

· Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift, and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds

· Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, and standing (with accommodations provided for specific positions).

· Travel to program sites and meetings outside the site and around the county are necessary

· Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs

*In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department.

 

Benefits:

· Are offered to all Full-Time & Part-Time staff.

· Employer paid medical/dental/vision insurance packages.

· Employer paid life insurance.

· 12 accrued vacation days for year one, up to 20 days in subsequent years.

· 12 days sick leave accrual per year.

· Mental Health Day.

· 1 Personal Day.

· 12 Paid Holidays.

· Flexible Spending Plan.

· 403(b) Retirement plan.

· Employee Assistance Program.

· Training Allowance/License Reimbursement.

· We are also a Second Chance Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Accommodations may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our workforce.