Peer Recovery Specialists (PRSs) are individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD), or with lived experience of recovery. PRSs work with other individuals in, or seeking, recovery to help them rebuild their lives and begin to live abundantly. Additionally, PRSs provide a number of services to the clients they work with – for a deeper understanding of PRS services check out our blog post on Peer Recovery Services. Becoming a PRS is simple, and we’ve outlined a step-by-step guide here. For many people interested in becoming a PRS, one deciding factor is whether or not they can work full-time. In this post we’ll dig into what it looks like to work as a Peer Recovery Specialist full-time, or as a part-time gig. We’ll cover hours, potential pay range, flexibility and more!
Peer Recovery Specialists are greatly needed in the recovery community. Aside from helping their clients build up their lives in recovery, PRSs are mentors and advocates for their clients, meeting them at any point in their journey. Having someone to walk alongside you as you begin to navigate your new life greatly increases your chance of success in recovery. This is only one of the myriad reasons PRSs are so indispensable. With concerns about Substance Use Disorder declining in the past year while overdose rates increase, there hasn’t been a more urgent need for PRSs. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a PRS but are unsure about whether or not it’s the right fit, keep reading to learn more.
What Does Working As A PRS Look Like?
Whatever You Want It To!
One of the most incredible elements of working as a PRS is that you choose what it looks like. At Kyros, we make sure to stay flexible to meet our PRSs where they’re at in their own journeys. Are you already working a part-time job and unsure of whether or not you’ll have time to take on another? Pick the hours that work best for you – you can keep it as part-time as you need. Looking for a career that’s full-time? You can work full-time as a PRS, and at Kyros we welcome our PRSs to work as many hours a week as they see fit!
Work On Your Time
As you begin working with clients, you will have the flexibility to figure out a schedule that works for you both. This isn’t necessarily a 9-5 career, and recovery doesn’t happen only inside of working hours. Some clients may require services or meetings more frequently than others. We recommend working alongside your supervisor to decide the best balance. Most importantly, you choose when and how you work.
Find The Right Match!
Finding the best client/provider match isn’t just to ensure there is a deeper level of understanding. Besides shared experience, providers and clients should be matched appropriately regarding frequency of meeting, and services provided. If you have a wide network of recovery housing programs and are working with someone who is soon leaving their intensive outpatient program, you could offer a lot of help in supporting your clients’ next step in recovery. A huge part of working full-time as a PRS is working with multiple clients that you serve each day!
Make A Livable Wage
Devoting your time to giving back to the recovery community is meaningful work. Because of this, you deserve a meaningful wage. At Kyros, we offer wages starting at $18.50 for any PRS regardless of experience level. As you continue to hone your skills there are multiple opportunities for advancement including pay up to $26.50. Read about the different ways you can advance within this role in our blog post that walks you through the steps of becoming a PRS.
Your Career, Your Choice
Working as a PRS, the possibilities are virtually endless. With the freedom and flexibility to work when and how you want, you decide the career path you take. Working full-time as a PRS is an extremely rewarding career in helping the lives of others in recovery. Aside from positively impacting your clients’ lives, you have the opportunity to grow your career. Working as a PRS with Kyros, we want to see you thrive! Advance in your career and become a Reciprocal, Supervisor, PRS Trainer and more. Sound like an opportunity that’s the right fit for you? Follow the link below to get signed up for a PRS training class.
Become a PRS Now!
Through our partnership with Refocus Recovery, Kyros offers free training classes weekly – the only cost to you is certification upon completion of the class. We offer in-person and virtual training sessions, held both in the morning and at night. Sign up for a class through Refocus now, or learn more about the role here. Becoming a PRS is such a meaningful way to give back to the recovery community, and we’re so grateful to be building such a wide network of incredible peer recovery specialists!
Want To Connect With Someone In Recovery?
If you’re having trouble deciding what the first step to take is, or just looking for support – look no further. Peer Recovery Specialists (PRSs) have been in your position before, building a completely new life as they began their journey. Talking to a PRS who has recovery experience can help you feel supported as you navigate through this new territory. Get connected with a PRS now here!
Sources:
Pew Research Center. “Concern about drug addiction has declined in U.S., even in areas where fatal overdoses have risen the most.” Pew Research Center, 2022. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/05/31/concern-about-drug-addiction-has-declined-in-u-s-even-in-areas-where-fatal-overdoses-have-risen-the-most/.
Accessed 27 December 2022.
