Peer Support Specialist

Summary: The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will provide direct peer recovery support services within hospital and emergency department (ED) settings in Texas. This position is part of a unique program integrating hospital-based peer engagement with access to telehealth-delivered Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT). PSS staff will be embedded directly in local hospitals and EDs in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Greenville, working alongside medical providers to engage individuals with substance use and behavioral health challenges at the point of care.

Unlike traditional peer roles located at our Recovery Community Centers (RCCs), this position is hospital-based only, with irregular visits to RCC sites for training, supervision, or program coordination. The PSS will play a critical role in helping individuals access evidence-based treatment, initiate recovery planning, and connect with community-based supports post-discharge. As a role model and advocate, the PSS will promote person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive recovery pathways, including harm reduction, medication-supported recovery, and mutual aid engagement.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

Certified Recovery Support Peer Specialist (RSPS) or eligible to earn the certification within 6 months of hire, with at least one year of experience working in community-based setting.
High degree of technological literacy, or willingness to acquire these skills as part of employment
Background checks may be required for staff that will work with youth, inside criminal justice settings, or other settings as determined by Organization Leadership
Reliable and insured personal transportation.
*Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ+, are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Unity Recovery, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Essential Duties:

Provide peer-based recovery support services within the assigned hospital or emergency department.
Engage patients during or immediately following a crisis or acute medical episode, building rapport through empathy, active listening, and non-judgmental communication.
Support individuals in accessing and initiating OBOT telehealth services through the MOUD provider, including assisting with consents, referrals, and warm handoffs to clinical providers.
Participate in daily shift debriefs, weekly individual supervision, and monthly group supervision.
Collaborate with hospital staff, Unity Recovery peer supervisors, and community partners to ensure smooth referral pathways and continuity of care.
Complete accurate documentation in provider EMRs and RecoveryLink in real time or within required reporting deadlines.
Provide overdose prevention education, distribute naloxone, and ensure individuals are connected to life-saving overdose prevention resources.
Educate and support patients and families around multiple pathways of recovery, helping individuals develop recovery plans that reflect personal strengths and goals.
Serve as a role model for recovery, appropriately sharing personal lived and living experience to inspire hope and motivation.
Participate in program data tracking, reporting, and quality improvement efforts.
Conduct self in alignment with peer ethical standards, the recovery bill of rights, and confidentiality requirements (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2).

Daily Job Responsibilities:

Provide recovery education to individuals for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery.
Identify emergency or crisis situations and facilitate access to appropriate resources, negotiating and connecting individuals with resources and navigating systems.
Assist in the development and enhancement of an individual’s comprehensive individualized recovery and/or re-entry plan, recognizing many pathways to recovery, accessing and advocating for recovery and community resources. The goal should be to transition from professionally assisted recovery initiation to personally directed, community supported recovery maintenance.
Collaborate with institutions to provide effective peer support services to identified individuals.
Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual aid groups, professional services, etc.) that support the individual’s goals and interests. This will involve a collaborative effort including the individual, staff, and other relevant stakeholders.
Assist the individual to identify and prioritize strengths and needs, using various techniques that engage individuals to self-disclose and engage in change oriented actions.
Maintain program logs, reports, and accurate records in appropriate files and database(s), adhering to program standards.
Maintain confidentiality regarding information received during the facilitation of recovery support services – maintain current understanding of federal, state and local confidentiality rules and regulations.
Engage in continuing professional development relative to peer support services, applying practical and professional knowledge and experience.
Maintain active peer specialist credentials.
Other duties as directed by Peer Supervisor, Program Director, or local Site Director
Compensation: $36,000 – $42,000 salary range. Includes optional health, dental, and vision benefits; 401k with company match after 1 year of service; unlimited PTO; and other benefits as designated by the organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,000.00 – $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Bereavement leave
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person