CST Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)

Community-Based |Rutherfordton North Carolina Area

About Pathways to Life

Pathways to Life provides community-based and residential behavioral health services across North Carolina. Our teams support individuals of all ages experiencing mental health and substance use challenges through structured, Medicaid-funded services.

We operate CST teams that meet members in homes, shelters, clinics, and community settings, not behind desks.

What You’ll Do

• Provide 1:1 peer support services in homes and community settings
• Use lived recovery experience to model coping strategies and stability
• Help members build daily living skills (appointments, housing, employment, benefits)
• Participate in weekly CST team meetings and case reviews
• Document services in compliance with MCO and Medicaid standards
• Support crisis de-escalation and connect members to higher levels of care when needed
• Travel throughout assigned counties daily

This role spends the majority of time in the field, not in an office.

Required

• Active NC Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) credential
• Personal lived experience in recovery (mental health and/or substance use)
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to document services clearly and on time
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Preferred

• 1+ year in community-based behavioral health
• Experience working under Vaya, Partners, or Trillium guidelines
• Experience using an electronic health record (EHR)

Schedule

• Primarily weekday hours
• Some evenings/weekends based on member needs
• Community-based with travel throughout assigned areas

Physical Requirements

• Frequent driving
• Walking and navigating community environments
• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs

Why This Role Matters

CST Peer Support Specialists reduce hospitalizations, increase housing stability, and help members maintain community placement through consistent, recovery-focused engagement.