Registered Peer Recovery Specialist

We are looking for a Registered and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) for our Bristol location!

The Peer Recovery Specialist uses personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use recovery to provide strengths-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent peer support to participants engaged in behavioral health treatment services. The PRS offers non-clinical support, models recovery, assists participants in setting goals, and helps them navigate systems of care and community resources.

Certified vs. Registered Peer Recovery Specialist: A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) has completed the DBHDS 72-hour training and passed the IC&RC exam. A Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) has taken the additional step of registering with the Virginia Board of Counseling. This position requires active RPRS registration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Build authentic, non-clinical, non-hierarchical relationships with participants based on mutuality, trust, shared lived experience, and respect.

Utilize personal recovery story to provide hope, encouragement, and modeling of recovery and resiliency.

Assist participants in developing individualized Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness Plans (RRWPs).

Provide structured, Medicaid-compliant Peer Recovery Support Services in accordance with DMAS requirements and 12VAC30-130-5160 through 5210.

Maintain an active billable caseload of no more than 15 participants, meeting minimum engagement expectations through regular individual peer support contacts and facilitation of peer recovery groups, including collaborative co-facilitation alongside clinical staff; complete Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness Plans (RRWPs) prior to billing services.

Complete timely and accurate documentation in the electronic record in accordance with Medicaid standards as well as agency, and licensing requirements.

Participate in warm handoffs, recovery planning, discharge support, and follow-up care coordination to support continuity of care.

Support participant advocacy, self-determination, and meaningful goal-setting consistent with person-centered recovery principles.

Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings while maintaining appropriate Peer Recovery Specialist scope of practice.

Maintain appropriate ethical boundaries and confidentiality at all times in accordance with peer support ethics and organizational policy.

Assist participants in accessing recovery supports, community resources, and mutual aid opportunities that support ongoing recovery and stability.

Provide occasional transportation of participants in a company vehicle to support access to recovery-related services, appointments, or community resources in accordance with agency policy.

Represent the organization during outreach opportunities, community engagement activities, and recovery-oriented events that promote awareness of peer recovery support services and strengthen participant access to recovery resources.

Attend all required supervision, training, and staff development activities in accordance with Medicaid and agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Must be a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Board of Counseling at the time of hire

Must have a minimum of one (1) year of experience working as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Must be eligible to provide Medicaid-billable Peer Recovery Support Services in accordance with 12VAC30-130-5160 through 5210

Must demonstrate the ability to work independently within peer scope of practice while supporting residential program engagement across evening and weekend service hours

Must demonstrate experience facilitating peer recovery groups and supporting individualized recovery planning

Must be able to participate in required supervision in accordance with 12VAC30-130-5190

Must possess strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary treatment teams

Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between program sites as needed

High school diploma or GED required to demonstrate foundational knowledge and ability to perform essential job duties.

We Offer:

Competitive pay, shift differentials for evening and weekend schedules

Paid Time Off

Health, dental, vision, life and other supplemental benefits

Retirement plan available after preliminary period