Certified Peer Support Specialist � Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)

About the Role

The peer support specialist in psychosocial rehabilitation offers guidance and emotional support to individuals dealing with mental health challenges, drawing on their own lived experiences to foster hope and resilience. They facilitate recovery by building trusting relationships, providing encouragement, and promoting self-advocacy. Peer supports often lead group discussions, offer coping strategies, and help clients connect with additional resources. Their unique perspective helps create a sense of understanding and belonging, which is essential for effective recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support to participants, fostering hope and promoting recovery by sharing personal lived experiences with mental health and/or substance use recovery.
• Facilitate peer support groups, wellness activities, and skill-building sessions, focusing on recovery, coping mechanisms, and empowerment.
• Advocate on behalf of participants within the program and in the broader community to ensure access to needed services and resources.
• Assist participants in setting and achieving personal goals, including employment, education, housing, and improved mental health.
• Collaborate with clinicians, case managers, and other staff to develop individualized treatment plans and ensure comprehensive, person-centered care.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and Medicaid-compliant records of services provided, documenting progress and participation in accordance with program and regulatory standards.
• Provide emotional support during crises and connect participants with appropriate crisis intervention services when necessary.
• Assist participants in building connections with local recovery communities, support groups, and resources that foster independence and social inclusion.

Requirements

• North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification.
• Personal experience in recovery from a mental health disorder and/or substance use disorder.
• Understanding of the role of PSR in promoting psychosocial skills and recovery-oriented services in a Medicaid-billed setting. Review of the state service definition is highly encouraged prior to interview. PSR Service definition (see page 47).
• Considerable knowledge of the role of a peer support in a PSR community.
• Ability to connect and articulate lived experience appropriately and judiciously.
• Considerable knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of the psycho-social, socioeconomic, and behavioral problems and their treatment.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern the PSR program.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, reaching, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions.
• Ability to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly or frequently to move objects.
• Visual acuity to perform extensive reading.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, Full-Time

Location

On-site, Wilmington, NC - New Hanover

Pay

Competitive salary based on experience

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Educational loan repayment programs & career growth
• Retirement savings plan/401K
• Paid time off programs, rollover hours, 14 paid holidays
• Employee engagement activities, resource groups, and diversity events