What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Peer Support Specialist position at Behavioral Health Care Management?
Peer Support Specialist
Arkansas — Behavioral Health / Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Location: Earle, Arkansas
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Clinical Director / Behavioral Health Supervisor
Salary Range: $17–$22/hour, DOE
About the Role
Behavioral Health Care Management is a behavioral health and treatment center operating an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) alongside primary care services. We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist who draws on their own lived experience of recovery to support, mentor, and encourage individuals working through mental health and/or substance use challenges. This is a non-clinical support role. The Peer Support Specialist works as part of an interdisciplinary team under the supervision of licensed clinical staff and does not provide therapy, counseling, diagnosis, or clinical assessment This is a Medicare based program.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide one-on-one peer support, encouragement, and mentoring drawn from lived recovery experience.
- Facilitate or co-facilitate peer support and recovery-oriented groups (mutual-support groups — not clinical/therapeutic groups, which are led by licensed clinical staff).
- Help clients set and pursue their own recovery goals and build recovery-supportive routines and skills.
- Assist clients with navigation and connection to community resources (housing, transportation, benefits, recovery supports).
- Model recovery, healthy coping, and effective use of the treatment program.
- Support clients during transitions (intake, level-of-care changes, discharge, and aftercare planning) in a non-clinical capacity.
- Document peer support contacts accurately and timely (date, duration, activities) per program and payer requirements.
- Communicate relevant observations to the clinical team and escalate safety concerns immediately to supervising clinical staff.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and uphold client confidentiality (HIPAA / 42 CFR Part 2 as applicable).
- Work within the scope of a peer support role and under the direction/supervision of a behavioral health professional.
Required Qualifications
- Lived experience: Self-identified current or former recipient of mental health and/or substance use services, with sustained personal recovery [program to specify minimum recovery period, e.g., 1 year].
- REQUIRED: Active Arkansas Peer Support / Peer Recovery Specialist certification (per Arkansas DHS / behavioral health division requirements). Candidates must hold a current peer specialist certificate at the time of hire.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of a state-approved peer support training and certification exam (or completion within the required timeframe).
- Ability to pass a background check and any required health screenings.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience as a peer support specialist in a behavioral health, IOP, residential, or substance use treatment setting.
- Familiarity with recovery models, harm reduction, and community resources in [region], Arkansas.
- Experience supporting co-occurring (mental health substance use) populations.
- Must be comfortable to lead groups
Required Skills & Attributes
- Strong interpersonal, listening, and rapport-building skills.
- Sound judgment about boundaries and when to escalate to clinical staff.
- Reliability, empathy, and a non-judgmental, recovery-oriented approach.
- Basic documentation and computer/EHR skills.
- Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
- Prior experience facilitating recovery-based groups.
Scope & Supervision (Important)
The Peer Support Specialist does NOT provide psychotherapy, clinical counseling, diagnosis, assessment, or any service requiring a clinical license. Peer-led groups are mutual-support groups; billable therapeutic/clinical groups are furnished by licensed clinical staff (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT) or other qualified practitioners. The Peer Support Specialist works under the supervision of a behavioral health professional, and services are documented and billed in accordance with applicable Medicaid, Medicare, and program rules.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive hourly rate based on experience and certification.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid Holidays.
Behavioral Health Care Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Work Location: In person
Salary : $17 - $22