Peer Support Specialist

Qualifications:

18 years or older

·History of substance abuse with a minimum of 2 years of sobriety

·Minimum of a high school diploma or GED

·Excellent interpersonal skills

·Valid NJ driver’s license

·Willing to complete the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training – a 46-hour online training required by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey

Roles and Responsibilities of Peer Support Specialists:

Peer support specialists will provide the following to adult clients with substance use disorder:

·Emotional support – in individual interactions and support groups, includes providing empathy, caring, and concern to foster the self-esteem and confidence of their clients;

·Informational support – through classes, training, and seminars to become peer support specialists, includes sharing knowledge and information or providing vocational skills training with their clients;

·Instrumental support – through referral, linkage, and service coordination, includes offering tangible assistance (e.g., transportation, housing, food, and clothing) to their clients; and

·Social support – in designated spaces, groups, and activities, connects individuals in recovery with others to promote learning, social and recreational skills, and a sense of community and belonging.

Peer support specialists are natural role models in achieving and maintaining recovery. They will be provided with weekly supervision by Owen Health Care’s compliance officer & staff trainer.