ACT Peer Support Specialist (1191)

Job Description

Job Description

At Greater Reach, we are making behavioral health care accessible, compassionate and stigma-free. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to help people feel seen, heard and supported, we want to hear from you! Here, you are not just joining a company; you’re joining a mission.

We are offering a great opportunity for a full time ACT Peer Support Specialist for our Assertive Community Team (ACT). ACT is a highly coordinated set of services offered by a group of medical, behavioral health, peer recovery support providers and rehabilitation professionals in the community who work together as a team to meet the complex needs of individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Responsibilities

Functions as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer education and peer support for clients in outpatient settings, rehabilitation, and support services to all program consumers with severe and persistent mental illnesses under clinical supervision. This position will assist and support consumers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their recovery process.

Required Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED

One (1) year position related lived experience as a consumer of mental health and / or substance abuse services.

Twelve (12) consecutive months of sobriety or drug free (if substance abuse diagnosis exists) and / or at least twelve (12) consecutive months of success within personal recovery.

Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or other certification approved by DBHDS.

Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Board of Counseling.

Valid Driver’s License with a point balance of -6 or higher.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively with other consumers.

Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationship, with persons with serious mental illness.

Self-knowledge and ability to manage personal mental illness issues.

Ability to model recovery principles by personal experience.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of recovery.

Ability to independently or with periodic assistance of higher graded service provider teach positive self-talk, self-esteem building, and conflict resolution.

Understanding of substance abuse and co-occurring issues.

Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources.

Knowledge of basic crisis principals and response.

Knowledge of and understanding of ethics and boundaries.

Knowledge of the impact of stigma and discrimination.

Ability to organize and plan own work activities.

Demonstrated proficiency in computer use and programs.

Ability to utilize electronic medical records.

Preferred :

Three (3) year position related lived experience as a consumer of mental health and / or substance abuse services.

ACT is an essential program, operating 365 days of the year. Applicant must be able to work some evenings (until 6 : 00pm), weekends, and holidays, based on program needs, and work with a rotating on call schedule.

Fingerprints, State and FBI criminal record reports, drug test, and central registry report will be required upon selection. Our Agency maintains a drug-free workplace.

Annual Salary Range

Grade S-C4

$39,239.00 - $44,135.00

$2,500 Sign on Bonus

Excellent fringe benefits

EOE Statement

Greater Reach Community Services Board provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.