Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)

Position Summary

The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) provides recovery-oriented support services to individuals diagnosed with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Drawing from lived experience in recovery, the CPRS offers peer-based mentoring, advocacy, engagement, and support to promote stability, empowerment, and sustained recovery.

The CPRS may provide services across multiple levels of care including 3.5 (Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential), 3.1 (Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential), PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program), and OP (Outpatient Program) depending on program needs and participant placement.

The Peer Specialist works collaboratively with clinical, psychiatric, nursing, housing, and case management teams to support integrated treatment goals while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Peer Support & Engagement

• Provide one-on-one peer support to participants with co-occurring disorders.
• Share lived recovery experience appropriately to inspire hope and model recovery principles.
• Assist participants in identifying strengths, recovery goals, and coping strategies.
• Support development and implementation of individualized recovery plans.
• Encourage consistent participation in treatment services across assigned levels of care (3.5, 3.1, PHP, IOP, OP).

Dual Diagnosis Support

• Assist participants in understanding the connection between mental health symptoms and substance use.
• Reinforce coping strategies learned in therapy (grounding, distress tolerance, relapse prevention).
• Support medication adherence conversations in collaboration with clinical staff (without offering clinical advice).
• Observe and report behavioral changes, relapse indicators, or safety concerns to clinical supervisors.

Level of Care Participation

Depending on assignment, responsibilities may include:

• 3.5 Residential: Provide structured daily recovery support and reinforce therapeutic goals within a 24-hour supervised setting.
• 3.1 Residential: Support participants in maintaining recovery routines and life skills development.
• PHP: Assist participants with engagement in structured daily programming and coping skill utilization.
• IOP: Support relapse prevention planning, sponsor engagement, and recovery meeting attendance.
• OP: Provide maintenance-focused peer support and aftercare engagement.

Community Resource Navigation & Daily Living Support

• Maintain strong knowledge of community-based resources including housing programs, food assistance, transportation services, employment programs, healthcare providers, clothing banks, and financial assistance agencies.
• Assist participants in accessing resources to meet daily living needs such as food security, transportation, identification documents, employment readiness, and medical appointments.
• Provide hands-on guidance in navigating community systems and completing applications.
• Advocate for participants when connecting to external agencies and support services.
• Encourage development of independent living skills and self-advocacy.

Recovery Planning & Skill Development

• Facilitate peer-led recovery or psychoeducational groups as assigned.
• Assist participants in developing life skills such as communication, boundary setting, employment readiness, budgeting, and daily structure.
• Encourage participation in community recovery meetings and sober support networks.
• Support housing stabilization and vocational exploration efforts.

Advocacy & Team Collaboration

• Advocate for participants within interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Collaborate with counselors, psychiatrists, nurses, housing staff, and case managers to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in case conferencing and clinical staffing as appropriate.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete progress notes and documentation in accordance with agency, state, and payer requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Adhere to ethical standards and certification requirements.
• Participate in required supervision and ongoing professional development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS, CPSS, or state-recognized credential).
• Required recovery time as defined by certifying body.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of dual diagnosis recovery principles.
• Familiarity with local community resources and social service systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in 3.5, 3.1, PHP, IOP, or OP settings.
• Experience facilitating peer groups.
• Familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
• Strong network of community resource contacts.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional boundaries and ethical awareness.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
• Crisis response and de-escalation skills.
• Knowledge of community resources to support participants’ daily living needs.
• Team collaboration and documentation proficiency.

Supervision

Reports to the Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, or Peer Supervisor and receives supervision consistent with state certification requirements.