Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS)

At Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Center our vision is to empower people, foster hope,
support choice, and celebrate success.

"Caring People Dedicated to Quality Service"

Help us help others:

The Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) is an integral part of the Substance Use Services (SUS) team as the bridge that connects program participants and the clinical staff.   Under the leadership of the SUS Program Director, the PRSS provides opportunities for individuals referred to and participating in outpatient substance use services to direct their own recovery process (self-determination) and act as an advocate for persons served.

Peer Recovery support services are designed to offer recovery-oriented support to individuals. These services may be provided to a person or a group and are aimed at assisting in the creation of skills to promote long-term, sustainable recovery. This position is committed to meeting the individual where they are and providing services in the community, at the place of employment, and at home. Peer Recovery support staff provide hope, encouragement, and recovery support services to a diverse population of program participants who have a range of behavioral health conditions and are at various stages of recovery. Drawing significantly on personal experience with and knowledge of local behavioral health services and other recovery resources. It is imperative that a Peer Recovery Support Specialist be active in their own recovery. PRSS certification, as outlined by internal and state-specified requirements, must be maintained.

You will get to:

• Work closely with other members of the SUS team (including MAT), provide a lived experience perspective to the SUS/MAT team providers, work closely with the team members, attend team meetings, document visits in the client record, and maintain a schedule in coordination with team providers
• Meet with individuals and facilitate groups related to recovery, wellness, and relapse prevention strategies
• Contact all SUS/MAT referrals within 1 business day to introduce oneself and initiate engagement with program services
• Coordinate scheduling of individuals with SUS clinical staff for assessment and program participation
• Use Motivational Interviewing and evidence-based recovery and wellness education materials to assist individuals in improving health and wellness
• Assist in the development of individual recovery and wellness goals
• Coordinate and conduct self-help groups and peer support activities
• Provide visual aids (tear sheets, posters, models, hands-on activities) to boost engagement and understanding
• Teach and model skills that are needed to promote wellness and recovery, present as a role model who has lived experience and offer practical, real-world recommendations, serve as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator as needed
• Help individuals navigate the various behavioral health care systems, including SUS inpatient, detox, step down, and outpatient recovery, primary health, mental health, and others as appropriate
• Provide sound and appropriate education information that supports wellness and recovery
• Inform individuals in recovery of community resources and assist in accessing them
• Promote the value of self-help, peer support, engagement, accountability, and personal empowerment to foster recovery
• Attend work regularly in accordance with the agency's leave and attendance policies
• Complete required training, documentation, and service delivery according to State and Federal regulations, Hill Country MHDDC, and the Substance Use Services Operational Plan.

You’ll definitely need:

• Identify oneself as a person living with addiction or a mental health diagnosis
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations
• High School Diploma or GED
• Current Texas Driver's License
• Completion of Certification of Peer Recovery Support Specialist
• Preferred: Bilingual: English/Spanish

We’ll also want you to:

• Maintain comprehensive documentation that meets or exceeds Department of State Health Services (DSHS) standards, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) standards
• Utilize Collaborative Documentation and complete all documentation of contacts within 24 hours
• Reach out to SUS referrals within 1 business day
• Comply with HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII) policies/rules/laws/regulations to ensure confidentiality of all client information
• Comply with all HCMHDDC policies and procedures, including the completion of all required training
• Ensure timely communication within the department and with other departments and agencies via written correspondence, email, telephones, and other means to ensure project follow-through and completion
• Value and respect every individual’s recovery experience
• Engage individuals in services in the progression of person-centered recovery goals/objectives
• Provide face-to-face service hours to reach or exceed performance goals
• Must be eager to promote the peer support program. This includes engaging individuals in existing services or new to services into the peer support program; this may include introductory calls (cold calls), greeting individuals waiting for services (in waiting areas), presenting information in a public setting, etc
• Provide timely notice to individuals served, supervisor, clinic director, and other necessary team members on changes to group schedules, appointments, etc
• Maintain appointment rate above 80%
• Maintain a minimum of 25 weekly scheduled appointments
• Client Record Audit score of 85 or above (quarterly)

We’re excited to provide:

• PPO health insurance plan with option to add dependents.
• PPO dental plan and vision insurance options for healthy teeth and eyes.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(a) plan, employer matches your contributions dollar for dollar up to 8% of your salary. You are 100% vested after 3 years of service.
• 457/403(b) plan, employees are immediately eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings.
• Generous paid time off for fun and vacations, and paid sick time for when you’re under the weather.
• An authentic and caring environment where folks care about each other and want to do good in the world.

We can pay you:

$21.95 per hour and benefits, plus good karma for doing good in the world.