Certified Youth Peer Specialist

Job Description:

The Youth Peer Specialist guides youth toward treatment and recovery services, promotes youth progress in this journey and assist youth in meeting their individualized treatment plan goals. They provide a role model for effective use of recovery skills, self-care and healthy coping mechanisms.  They meet the client at any point in their journey in a non-judgmental and authentic manner.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborate with individuals to develop personalized treatment plans that address their specific needs.
• Maintain regular communication with referral sources and guardians to discuss progress, transition planning, and relevant clinical matters.
• Participate in meetings to ensure continuity of care for individuals.
• Assist in researching and referring individuals to outside resources when necessary.
• Schedule treatment appointments and provide transportation to and from Recovery Support Services and community-based services.
• Accompany clients to appointments when permitted, representing the agency professionally.
• Support clients in accessing medical services and document all services in accordance with state and CARF standards.
• Offer crisis intervention and facilitate group education sessions as scheduled.
• Pursue professional development through training to meet required hours every two years.
• Utilize peer support to foster recovery and resilience in individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Help individuals build connections with others, their overall community, and Recovery Supports within their community.  NOTE:  This requires transportation of clients.
• Assist individuals in accessing information and support for mental health and substance use disorders.
• Support individuals in making independent choices and taking an active role in their treatment.
• Help individuals identify their strengths and resources for recovery.
• Assist individuals in setting and achieving recovery goals through mentoring, advocacy, and coaching.
• Provide emotional, informational, and instructional support to help clients feel connected and develop recovery skills.
• Encourage clients to live a healthy, productive, and sober lifestyle during and after their time in the facility.
• Aid participants in creating personal treatment plans to actively engage in their own recovery.
• Adhere to ethical and confidentiality standards of the facility.
• Show interest in the long-term and short-term goals of the company.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to offer personal, unique knowledge and experiences of recovery while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to share recovery skills that have worked and help the client identify skills that will work for them.
• Ability to serve as a source of hope for the client by demonstrating the ability to maintain recovery.
• Knowledge of and a basic understanding of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques in relation to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledgeable about the challenges faced by individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders and know how to access the various community resources available.
• Knowledgeable about and should be familiar with the methods, modalities, legal requirements, and court procedures associated with treating mental health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of training techniques and practices used in a substance use disorder/mental health treatment setting is desired.
• Capable of effectively communicating ideas verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.

• Ability to connect clients/patients to recovery resources, including mutual aid support groups, in the communities they serve.Top of FormBottom of Form
• General knowledge of computers

Experience and Education Qualifications:

• Must be willing to self-identify as a present or former client of mental health and/or substance use services OR self identifies as a person in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder. If asked, present evidence of a sponsor and participation in a 12-step program.
• Requires one year of direct and personal experience with