State of Maryland

SKILLED SERVICE BARGAINING UNIT: D OVERTIME ELIGIBLE

A Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Lead/Advanced is the lead or advanced level of work, in the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), providing peer recovery support services to clients with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders to begin and maintain a path to recovery. Employees in this classification that function as lead workers assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists and may oversee the work of clerical support staff. Employees in this classification that function as advanced workers provide certified counseling to family members of those currently receiving counseling and/or provide certified counseling to forensic clients. Employees in this classification do not supervise other Peer Recovery Specialists.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor, Certified; clinical staff; Coordinator Special Programs Health Services; or a higher-level Administrator. Employees in this classification may be required to work evenings and weekends. The work is performed in State addictions mental health, and behavioral health programs located in local health departments, State institutions, facilities and offices including inpatient and outpatient facilities, halfway house facilities and community-based programs.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.

The Peer Recovery Specialist Lead/Advanced, Certified is differentiated from the Peer Recovery Specialist III, Certified in that the Peer Recovery Specialist Lead/Advanced either assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists or performs advanced duties by providing certified counseling to family members of those currently receiving counseling and/or forensic clients while the Peer Recovery Specialist III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The Peer Recovery Specialist Lead/Advanced is differentiated from the Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor in that the Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists.

When assigned as a Peer Recover Specialist Lead:

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists;

Trains lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists on the resolution of complex concerns when counseling clients;

Makes recommendations to improve or modify operating procedures and internal controls;

May oversee the work of clerical support staff;

When assigned as a Peer Recovery Specialists Advanced:

Provides certified counseling to non-forensic clients and their family members.

For both functions:

Provides peer recovery support services to clients diagnosed with or identifying as having substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders;

Advocates for clients by speaking on personal experiences regarding substance use, mental health disorders or co-occurring experiences;

Supports clients throughout their recovery process and encourages them to take empowering actions in order to regain control over their lives and recovery;

Meets with clinical staff and other treatment team members to support clients by providing input into developing a recovery plan and determining the steps to reduce barriers to recovery and reach their recovery goals;

Discusses the recovery plan with clients in recovery and their families;

Functions as a role model to clients in areas such as identifying personal strengths, conflict resolution, self-esteem enhancements, life skills, daily decision making and other recovery developmental skills;

Promotes healthy behaviors among their clients by disseminating substance use, mental health recovery, and community resource information including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health, religious/spiritual and other resources;

Observes behavior and evidence of general well-being and discusses observations with the clients and treatment staff;

Prepares reports and records to document individual accomplishments, growth and recovery progress;

Responds to clients in crises;

May provide testimony in court proceedings;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of certified counseling of family members of those currently receiving counseling and/or forensic clients;

Knowledge of the purpose, goals and objectives of the peer recovery support practices procedures, and programs;

Knowledge of the recovery process for individuals with substance use disorders;

Knowledge of the signs of substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders;

Knowledge of ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship;

Knowledge of the proper techniques used in crisis response situations;

Knowledge to assist clients with accessing and obtaining entitlements ( food stamps, Temporary Cash Assistance, Motor Vehicle Administration identification, insurance, etc.);

Ability to train and review the work of lower-level Peer Recovery Specialists;

Ability to obtain and report relevant background information by interviewing clients and third parties;

Ability to work with groups and clients who may display behavioral health issues;

Ability to communicate effectively with clients, their family and friends, treatment team members and the general public;

Ability to use helping strategies to reduce the negative effects of substance use, abuse and dependence;

Ability to use support systems and community resources available to clients and their significant others and to advocate for clients’ rights;

Ability to accurately document client information;

Ability to comply with established standards of ethics and confidentiality.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency
certificate.

Experience: One year and six months of experience providing peer recovery support services.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Peer Specialist classifications or Peer Specialist and specialty codes in the health-related field of work for the required experience.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist within 12 months from date of hire from the Maryland Addictions Professional Certification Board (MAPCB) located at 10807 Falls Rd., #1376, Brooklandville, MD 21022.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees in this classification who fail to obtain the required certification by the end of 24 months of continuous employment with the hiring department shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.

2. Applicants for this classification must be in a state of recovery for 2 years from a substance use, mental health or co-occurring disorder before they can be qualified to be hired as a Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified.

3. Employees in this classification must complete any additional training that is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain the required certification.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing, in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulation 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D, Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes. As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

July 1, 2023

Director, Division of Classification and Salary