Peer Support Specialist in Anchorage, Alaska at Emend Health Company AK LLC

Emend Healthcare provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment at multiple locations across the country. Each center is designed to deliver a full continuum of care, from medically supervised detox to residential and outpatient programs, ensuring clients can access the support they need wherever they are. With a focus on personalized treatment and compassionate care, Emend’s facilities offer safe, welcoming environments where individuals can begin their journey to lasting recovery.

At Emend Healthcare Company AK LLC, ("Emend AK"), an integral part of Emend, we are dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey to lasting wellness. Our team combines expertise, compassion, and personalized care to help clients navigate mental health challenges and substance use recovery. We focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment where every person can build the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to thrive. Through evidence-based treatment, innovative programs, and a commitment to holistic well-being, we empower clients to achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist provides recovery-oriented support services to individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges. This role utilizes lived experience, peer support principles, and trauma-informed practices to support participant engagement, wellness, and recovery.

The Peer Support Specialist works closely with participants and multidisciplinary team members to support treatment engagement, recovery planning, and community integration.

This position supports participant recovery while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries and promoting a safe, respectful, and client-centered treatment environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Provide direct peer support and participant engagement services.

· Assist participants in identifying strengths, goals, and recovery resources.

· Provide recovery-oriented mentoring, encouragement, and support.

· Share lived experience appropriately to promote hope, resilience, and recovery.

· Assist participants in navigating treatment services and community resources.

· Support participant engagement in treatment, recovery activities, and wellness planning.

· Facilitate peer-led groups and recovery support activities as assigned.

· Build supportive relationships with participants while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

· Maintain timely and accurate documentation of services provided within the electronic health record.

· Participate in team meetings, trainings, and program activities.

· Perform related duties as assigned.

Peer Support Specialist I

· Beginning peer support position.

· Provides direct recovery support and participant engagement services.

· Works under routine supervision and guidance.

Peer Support Specialist II

· Performs all duties of Peer Support Specialist I with increased independence, consistency, and proficiency.

· Assists with group facilitation, outreach activities, and recovery programming.

· May support onboarding and mentorship of newer peer staff.

Peer Support Specialist III

· Performs all duties of Peer Support Specialist II with increased independence, consistency, and proficiency.

· Assists with coordination of peer support services and programming.

· Facilitates groups, outreach initiatives, and community engagement activities.

Position Requirements and Expectations

· Ability to maintain ethical and professional boundaries while appropriately utilizing lived experience in a treatment environment.

· Ability to model healthy recovery behaviors and positive coping skills.

· Ability to establish rapport and build supportive relationships.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

· Valid Alaska driver's license required.

· Current CPR and First Aid certification required.

· Ability to successfully pass all required state and federal background screenings.

Preferred Experience

· Previous experience in peer support, behavioral health, or recovery-oriented services.

· Experience facilitating peer support groups or recovery activities.

· Experience working within behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, or recovery-oriented environments.

Education Requirements

· High school diploma or equivalent.

· Peer Support Professional (PSP) I, II, or III certification, or ability to obtain within the 18 months of employment.

· Minimum of one (1) year of lived experience in recovery from substance use and/or mental health challenges.