Peer Support Specialist for Mental Health Agency

Location:  Asheville, NC

Position Type: Full time

Requirement: NC Peer Support Specialist certification listed on the NCCPSSP and must have one (1) year of adult behavioral health experience working with individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.

A Caring Alternative, LLC (ACA) is a well-established comprehensive care agency providing behavioral health and substance use disorder services to adults, adolescents, and children in Western North Carolina.

To learn more about us, visit our website at www.caringalternative.com.

Why apply at A Caring Alternative?

• We celebrate diversity, so bring YOU!   We want you to be proud and comfortable to bring your true self and we strive to enhance the value of our work through respectful curiosity of one another’s culture.
• Competitive Payrates!  We offer a competitive rate of pay. Work related mileage is paid tax free.
• Pride in Your Work!  You can join an organization that seeks to set the standard for quality support services for people with mental illness.  We hope you will find satisfaction and take pride in your work here.
• Strong Core Values!  Join our values-based, family-owned company with a culture that we care.
• Grow!  Our strong core values include promotion and position changes for your career development.
• Flexibility!  We work in a team environment and promote flexibility.
• Training!  Solid training is provided & paid by the company.

Benefits!  We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees.

• Company laptop provided for most positions
• 401(k) & Roth retirement plans
• Company matching 401(k) & Roth
• 11 paid holidays
• Direct deposit
• Paid Time Off accrual begins upon hire, 100 hours first year
• Major medical, dental & vision insurance plus 16 hours paid sick time after 60 days
• Company paid Life Insurance policy
• Short term & long-term insurance available
• Employee Assistance Program for free financial, emotional & legal help

The role of a Peer Support Specialist is to serve as a resource for adults with mental health and/or co-occurring conditions. This service consists of community-based mental health and substance use services, and structured rehabilitative interventions intended to increase and restore an individual’s ability to live successfully in the community. The team approach involves structured, face-to-face therapeutic interventions that assist in reestablishing the individual’s community roles related to the following life domains: emotional, behavioral, social, safety, housing, medical and health, educational, vocational, and legal.

Job Duties include:

• Serves as an active member of the CST, participates in team meetings, and provides input into the person-centered planning process 
• Guides and encourages individuals to take responsibility for and actively participate in their own recovery 
• Models recovery values, attitudes, beliefs, and personal action to encourage wellness and resilience 
• Assists with crisis interventions 
• Participates in the initial development, implementation, and ongoing revision of the PCP 

Basic Requirements:

• Ability to perform tasks on the computer including working with Microsoft 360, Excel, Word and other basic programs.
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance coverage and reliable transportation
• Pass criminal background check and other regulatory checks
• Provide proof of your education

Education and Experience Required:

1. NC Peer Support Specialist certification listed on the NCCPSSP
2. Must have one (1) year of adult behavioral health experience working with individuals with mental health or substance use disorders and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the population and age to be served.

Resume must include relevant employment dates including month and year, and populations served.

A Caring Alternative, LLC is a CARF accredited service provider with facilities in Asheville, Hickory, Marion, and Morganton, NC. A Caring Alternative, LLC is CABHA certified and a Trauma Informed Agency. We provide an array of services to Alexander, Buncombe, Burke, Catawba, Caldwell, Iredell, McDowell, and Mitchell counties which consist of Assertive Community Treatment Team, Community Support Team, Day Treatment, Integrated Care, Intensive In-Home, Medication Management, Outpatient Therapy, and Therapeutic Foster Care.

We are an equal opportunity employer.