Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist – Peer Recovery Navigator

Pathway Healthcare Services

Location: Mississippi Delta Region – Coahoma, Washington, and Leflore Counties
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Behavioral Health / Recovery Services
Travel: Local travel throughout assigned service area required

About Pathway Healthcare Services

At Pathway Healthcare Services, WE HELP PEOPLE. We are committed to connecting individuals and families with compassionate, accessible healthcare and addiction treatment services.

We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist (Peer Recovery Navigator) to join our team and serve individuals seeking support for substance use and addiction-related concerns. This position is an important part of helping individuals understand their treatment options, connect with appropriate care, and feel supported throughout the recovery process.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and comfortable building relationships with patients, healthcare professionals, hospital staff, and community partners. Personal lived experience with addiction and recovery is highly valued, as it allows the Peer Support Specialist to provide empathy, hope, and encouragement to individuals taking the first steps toward treatment.

What You'll Do

As a Peer Support Specialist, you will serve as a bridge between individuals seeking addiction treatment and the healthcare services available to them.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with hospital emergency departments, healthcare providers, case managers, social workers, and other hospital and community partners.
• Visit patients in assigned hospitals, when requested, who are seeking treatment for drug and/or alcohol addiction.
• Build rapport with individuals and provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support.
• Educate individuals about Pathway Healthcare Services, available treatment options, and how to access care.
• Help facilitate and coordinate a patient's initial appointment with medical and behavioral health professionals.
• Assist patients with navigating the process of connecting to appropriate treatment services.
• Follow up periodically with individuals referred to Pathway Healthcare Services to help encourage continued engagement in treatment.
• Provide new patients with an orientation to the office when requested, including information regarding office policies, procedures, and available services.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and communication regarding patient referrals and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals and internal team members to support continuity of care.
• Represent Pathway Healthcare Services professionally and consistently demonstrate our mission and values.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Personal lived experience that allows you to empathize with and understand individuals seeking treatment for addiction and substance use concerns.
• A sincere desire to help people access appropriate addiction treatment and recovery services.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare providers, case managers, hospital staff, patients, and community partners.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a healthcare team.
• Dependable, compassionate, and professional approach to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow applicable organizational and healthcare requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Peer Support Specialist, Peer Recovery Specialist, Recovery Coach, Peer Navigator, Case Manager, or in a similar behavioral health or addiction treatment role.
• Experience working in a hospital, emergency department, behavioral health, substance use treatment, or other healthcare setting.
• Peer Support Specialist or Peer Recovery certification, if applicable.

Service Area

This position will primarily serve individuals and healthcare partners throughout Coahoma, Washington, and Leflore Counties in Mississippi. Local travel to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and community locations throughout the assigned service area may be required.

Coahoma County

Service areas include:

• Clarksdale
• Mattson
• Stovall
• Coahoma
• Rich
• Farrell
• Friars Point
• Jonestown
• Lula
• Lyon

Washington County

Service areas include:

• Greenville
• Arcola
• Avon
• Chatham
• Leland
• Metcalfe
• Hollandale area

Leflore County

Service areas include:

• Greenwood
• Itta Bena
• Mississippi Valley State University area
• Minter City
• Money
• Morgan City
• Schlater
• Sidon area

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work may take place in office, hospital, healthcare, and community-based settings.
• Office environments are generally well-lit and climate-controlled.
• Position involves periods of sitting while meeting with patients, completing documentation, or working on a computer.
• Occasional handling of sealed, enclosed urine specimens may be required while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to travel locally throughout the assigned service area as needed.

Why Join Pathway Healthcare Services?

At Pathway, your work directly impacts the lives of individuals and families in the communities we serve. As a Peer Support Specialist, you have the opportunity to use your experience, compassion, and understanding to help someone take an important first step toward recovery.

If you are passionate about helping others, building connections, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of people affected by addiction, we want to hear from you!

Apply today to join Pathway Healthcare Services and help us continue our mission: WE HELP PEOPLE.

[email protected]

Pay: $22.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Gulfport, MS 39507