Peer Support Specialist

Status: Non-Exempt

Compensation Grade: $22.00–$26.00 per hour

Location: 1095 E. Tabor Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533

Reports To: Clinical Manager

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides Medi-Cal reimbursable Peer Support Services to individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Using lived experience in recovery, the PSS promotes hope, strengthens engagement in treatment, reinforces recovery-oriented behaviors, and supports clients in applying treatment goals in everyday life.

Services are provided under the supervision of a designated Peer Support Specialist Supervisor and within the clinical direction of the Program Clinical Manager. The Peer Support Specialist delivers services consistent with Medi-Cal Peer Support Service components by building supportive relationships, encouraging engagement in recovery, reinforcing coping skills, emotional regulation, wellness strategies, and recovery planning introduced during treatment, assisting clients in applying recovery skills in real-world settings, and supporting successful transitions between levels of care and integration into the community.

All documentation must meet Medi-Cal requirements for medical necessity, timeliness, accuracy, and alignment with approved Peer Support Service components. Services must remain within the defined scope of Peer Support Services and shall not include psychotherapy, diagnosis, clinical counseling, or case management activities outside the allowable Peer Support scope.

Essential Functions

• Provide individual and group Peer Support Services consistent with each client's individualized treatment plan.
• Build supportive, recovery-oriented relationships that promote hope, empowerment, and sustained engagement in treatment.
• Share lived recovery experience appropriately while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Reinforce coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, recovery planning, healthy boundaries, relapse prevention strategies, and other recovery concepts introduced by the treatment team.
• Assist clients in identifying personal recovery goals, recognizing strengths, and celebrating recovery progress.
• Support clients during admissions, discharges, transfers, and transitions between levels of care to promote continuity of care.
• Encourage participation in treatment services, recovery support meetings, and community-based recovery resources.
• Collaborate with counselors, therapists, care coordinators, and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record on the date of service, including start time, end time, duration, interventions provided, and applicable Medi-Cal Peer Support Service components.
• Maintain compliance with DHCS, Medi-Cal, CalMHSA, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, organizational policies, and ethical standards.
• Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, trainings, and continuing education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.