Case Manager/Peer Support Specialist (53092)

Position Summary:

This Case Manager / Peer Recovery Specialist is a member of the Recovery Team and works closely with the Treatment Counselor, Supportive Employment Coach, and other program staff. This position provides case management, peer support, advocacy, resource coordination, and recovery coaching to individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. The position helps participants access services, achieve goals, build support systems, and progress toward recovery and self-sufficiency.

Essential Job Functions:

- Embrace and embody the mission, vision, and values of WestCare Tennessee.

- Provide case management and peer recovery support services to participants.

- Assist participants in identifying goals, strengths, needs, and barriers.

- Connect participants to community resources such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, employment, and educational services.

- Advocate for participants to improve access to needed services and support.

- Assist participants in establishing or rebuilding positive support systems.

- Facilitate or co-facilitate groups, workshops, and evidence-based curricula.

- Participate in staff meetings, case staffing, and treatment planning discussions.

- Monitor participant progress and provide follow-up support throughout enrollment.

- Complete progress notes, referrals, discharge summaries, and other required documentation in a timely manner.

- Support participants using recovery-oriented principles and, when appropriate, lived recovery experience.

- Always maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.

- Attend required trainings, meetings, conferences, and WestCare eLearning courses.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

- Perform individual follow-up interviews to document individual progress, to make additional referrals if needed and to maintain active communication throughout the duration of their enrollment in the program.

- Will engage and complete the required WestCare Tennessee eLearning, and any other program related trainings.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Certifications/Licenses:

- Valid State Issued Driver’s License required.

- Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Preferred.

Education:

• Graduation with a four-year degree in Addiction Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Community and Human Services, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field is required.

•  2 – 4 years of experience in related project field may be substituted for degree.

Experience and Competencies:

- Experience in case management, peer support, behavioral health, social services, or substance use treatment preferred.

- An individual with a similar “lived experience” and has successfully sustained a crime and drug-free life for two (2) consecutive years or longer.

- Knowledge of community resources and recovery support services.

- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

- Ability to work effectively with individuals in both group and individual settings.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

- Strong organizational, documentation, and time management skills.

- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

- Ability to respond appropriately to crisis situations.

Working Conditions:

- Work is performed in a combination of an office and outdoor setting.

- Some travel is required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

- Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and proper utilization by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).

- Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or promptly.

- Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.

- Requires seeing: Clarity of vision including proper eyewear at 20 inches or less and at distance.

- The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

- Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

- Requires the ability to work and cooperate with co-workers, managers, and the public at all levels to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.

- Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

- The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations using approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.