The Peer Recovery Specialist fulfills the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist function identified in Legacy's approved SBIRT staffing plan and provides peer-based engagement, outreach, recovery coaching, mentoring, advocacy, transportation support, and recovery planning for consumers participating in the SBIRT project, including community and mobile outreach activities. Using lived experience and recovery-oriented practice, the Peer Recovery Specialist builds trust, supports informed choice and self-advocacy, helps consumers identify recovery goals and natural/community supports, and assists with linkage to behavioral health, substance use treatment, primary care, mutual-help, and other recovery resources. The Peer Recovery Specialist supports warm handoffs and follow-up, helps identify practical barriers to engagement, reinforces education provided by clinical and medical staff, and communicates consumer-identified needs to the interdisciplinary team. The role is distinct from licensed clinical practice and does not independently provide diagnosis, clinical assessment, psychotherapy, medication management, or nursing services. The primary assignment during time charged to the SBIRT award is peer engagement, recovery support, outreach, linkage, and follow-up for the SBIRT project. Other outpatient peer functions may be performed during SBIRT-funded time when they directly support SBIRT participants, project outreach, referral completion, integration, or sustainability.
Legacy’s Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Program is funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The program provides early identification and intervention for substance use concerns for individuals age 12 and older, with a particular focus on youth and young adults ages 12–21. The program operates across Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden Counties and integrates SBIRT into outpatient behavioral health, healthcare, school, mobile outreach, and community-based settings.
Services include evidence-based substance use screening, brief intervention and brief treatment when indicated, and referral to treatment for individuals needing more intensive substance use services. The program also provides care navigation, warm handoffs, follow-up, peer and recovery support, and coordination with behavioral health, primary care, substance use treatment, and community resources to reduce barriers and improve continuity of care.
Hours
Position is full time and includes the following:
- 3.2 weeks of Paid Time Off during the first year
- Medical, vision, dental and life insurance
- 9 Agency-paid holidays
- 403(b) match and employee participation
- Tuition Reimbursement after 1 year of employment
Education/Experience:
Must meet the grant's peer eligibility requirements, including training in crisis intervention, at least two years of continuous recovery from a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and at least one year of field experience working with individuals in the community. Must possess at least one grant-accepted peer credential or certificate, including Certified Recovery Support Practitioner (CRSP), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS), Certified Wellness Coach, Community Mental Health Associate certificate, or another credential accepted by the project and Agency consistent with grant requirements.
Legacy Treatment Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Skills Required
- Training in crisis intervention
- At least two years of continuous recovery from a serious mental illness or substance use disorder
- At least one year of field experience working with individuals in the community
- At least one grant-accepted peer credential or certificate, such as CRSP, CPRS, NCPRSS, Certified Wellness Coach, or Community Mental Health Associate
What We Do
Legacy Treatment Services is a nonprofit behavioral health organization based in New Jersey. It is dedicated to improving the lives of children, adults, and families struggling with behavioral health issues through a range of clinical treatment and support services, including mental health services, addiction counseling, and medication management.
