community peer support worker, cpsw

Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Community Peer Support Worker (CPSW) to join our behavioral health team. The CPSW plays a vital role in supporting individuals navigating mental health, substance use, and behavioral challenges by providing peer-based assistance rooted in lived experience. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community by fostering recovery, resilience, and empowerment. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, crisis intervention capabilities, and a commitment to promoting mental wellness within diverse populations.

Position Summary

The Community Peer Support Worker (CPSW) uses lived experience with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring recovery to provide structured peer support services. The CPSW promotes engagement, recovery, empowerment, community integration, self-advocacy, and independent living skills. Services are non-clinical, strengths-based, and delivered under supervision.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Peer Support Service Delivery — Individual & Group

• Provide individual peer support sessions that promote recovery, resilience, coping skills, self-advocacy, treatment engagement, and wellness strategies as identified on the treatment plan.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer-led recovery groups, including:
• wellness and self-management groups
• life-skills and independent-living support groups
• recovery and relapse-prevention support groups (non-clinical)
• community integration and social-support groups
• Support clients in developing self-directed recovery plans and identifying personal goals.
• Encourage participation in treatment, groups, community services, and support systems.

Recovery Support & Engagement

• Assist individuals in building natural supports and maintaining recovery routines.
• Provide education based on lived experience to promote hope, empowerment, and motivation.
• Teach and model self-advocacy skills, problem-solving, and self-management strategies.
• Support clients with community reintegration, navigation of resources, and linkage to care.

Coordination & Communication

• Coordinate peer support services with the treatment team to ensure continuity of care.
• Communicate observations regarding client strengths, barriers, and engagement needs.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, supervision, and case consultations as required.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, and Medicaid-compliant documentation of all peer services.
• Document according to treatment-plan goals and within BHSD/NM Medicaid guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and agency policy adherence at all times.

Professionalism & Boundaries

• Maintain therapeutic (non-clinical) peer boundaries and uphold ethical peer support standards.
• Demonstrate cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Engage in required ongoing training, certification, and supervision.

Duties

• Provide peer support to individuals experiencing mental health or addiction challenges, utilizing lived experience to foster trust and rapport.
• Assist clients in developing coping strategies and recovery plans aligned with their personal goals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams using Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to document client progress and service delivery accurately.
• Offer mentoring and guidance to promote social skills, self-efficacy, and community integration.
• Educate clients about behavioral health resources, treatment options, and community services.
• Support clients in developing life skills necessary for sustained recovery and independence.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all applicable privacy regulations and organizational policies.

Experience

• Lived experience with mental health conditions, substance use disorder, or behavioral health challenges is highly valued.
• Previous experience in crisis intervention or crisis management is preferred.
• Experience working with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse populations compassionately and effectively.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and empathy. This role offers an impactful career path for individuals committed to supporting recovery journeys within their communities through peer-based services.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $ $27.00 per hour

Work Location: In person