Many peer specialists come from non–social service backgrounds. Employers hiring peers are less concerned with job titles and more interested in transferable skills, use of lived experience, and readiness for peer work. Your resume and cover letter should focus on how your experience translates, rather than trying to mirror traditional clinical resumes. Key Principle: Translate,...
Certain types of criminal charges may impact employment as a peer specialist, depending on the nature of the charge, how recent it is, and the requirements of the employer and funding source. Criminal history is reviewed separately by employers as well as certification bodies, and the outcomes may differ between the two. Disclaimer: This information...
Employers hiring peer specialists prioritize interpersonal skills, readiness for peer work, and alignment with peer support principles over formal education or clinical experience. Lived experience is central to the role, but employers look for peers who can use that experience ethically, intentionally, and sustainably. Core Skills Employers Look For Communication Skills Boundaries and Ethics Emotional...
The interview process is typically less formal than clinical roles, but more values-driven than many entry-level positions. Employers focus on readiness for peer work, use of lived experience, ethical boundaries, and alignment with peer support principles, rather than clinical credentials. Common Stages of the Interview Process Application Review Initial Interview (Phone or Virtual) This interview...
Peer support roles are often listed under different job titles, depending on the organization, setting, or funding source. When searching on job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, Idealist, WorkInTexas, etc.), using a wide range of keywords will increase your chances of finding relevant peer positions. Common Peer Job Titles These are the most direct and frequently used...
Summary of the Position The position of Certified Family Partner is a direct-care position with the expectation that a percentage of an employee’s work time is spent face-to-face with the individuals whom the agency serves. Certified Family Partners are individuals who have lived experience parenting a child with emotional or mental health needs. The Certified...
The Project The Community Integration Project will implement a recovery-oriented approach to helping people with a mental health condition, a substance use condition, or both initiate and sustain their recovery. The key components include: Job Basics: Job Tasks: Applicant Qualifications: Those who wish to apply must,
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), certified Peer Support Specialists are often included within related, fast-growing occupations, such as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors; health education specialists; and community health workers. In the BLS’s most recent projections (2024–2034), employment is expected to grow 17% for substance abuse, behavioral disorder,...
What types of Peer Support certifications are there in Texas? There are many different areas of focus where Peers can work, like behavioral health, criminal justice, trauma, physical healthcare, etc. Let’s take a look at four peer professional roles in the Texas behavioral health system. Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) A Mental Health Peer Specialist...
Where do Peers work? Peers work in many different environments, with jobs that focus on direct services, program management, advocacy, and more. For example, Peers in Texas provide direct services in settings such as: and many more! Peer specialists also hold many different titles in the agencies where they work, including: What do Peers do? ...
