Peer Recovery Specialist

Job Duties :

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is eagerly seeking to hire an experienced Peer Recovery Specialist to provide a peer-based bridge service for the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program in the Behavioral Health division .

This is a strength-based service that provides and cultivates hope for people in psychiatric facilities. The candidate will use their own lived experience to support clients interested in PSH housing transition to the community and connecting with the essential resources desired and provide ongoing short-term support when discharged.

This position will provide advocacy, conduct recovery-oriented service planning, and individual goal implementation to include training / coaching in daily living skills, facilitating social / recreational activities, recovery education, and fostering client advocacy and responsibility.

Hospital based Activities

• Engage identified participants in providing education regarding the PSH program.
• Liaison and designated State Hospital Points of Contact.
• Visit the state hospital at least one day a week to engage with potential participants.
• Educate participants on PSH program and assist with referral coordination and assessment should they agree to program admission.
• Provide education to hospital staff, on recovery, peer support, and recovery supports.
• Assist the participant in finding housing in the community as part of the discharge plan.
• Facilitate transportation back to their community for visits and housing searches.
• Support participants during 48 or overnight passes.

Community-based post-discharge activities

• Facilitate a warm hand-off to the community mental health provider chosen by the participant.
• Support with the development of a Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
• Participating in treatment activities at the behavioral health agency with the participant as requested.
• Sit in on and function as an advocate during appointments with the primary clinician, prescriber, etc.
• Connect participants with natural support resources and the local recovery community.
• Assist the participant in developing a new life structure, including developing and refining skills for daily living.
• Acts as a change agent to including that recovery is possible to co-workers and model recovery, through professionalism, spreading recovery principles, and state hospitals.
• Participates in DBHDS and Virginia Beach sponsored Peer Bridger training activities.
• Coordinate activities with the Hospital Liaison and attends internal and external discharge planning and treatment team meetings.

Official City Job Description :

Working Conditions :

https : / / workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com / B.007789.1.pdf

Minimum Requirements :

MINIMUMS : Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and / or experience equivalent to one (1) year in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities OR eligibility for certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist with Virginia DBHDS.

Must have a current and valid driver’s license. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Must be eligible to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia.

If not obtained prior to hire, the peer counselor will receive Peer Certification Recovery Services training. All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and / or City-wide emergencies.

Additional Requirements :

DMV Transcript : Required

CDL : Not Required

DOT History : Not Required

CPS Check : Required

Physical : Not Required

Respirator : Not Required

Polygraph Review : Not Required

Psychological Screening : Not Required

Attachments Required :

Preferences :

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

Six (6) months of experience working with individuals with mental health and or substance use disorders.

Experience working with homeless populations.

Experience developing Wellness and Recovery Action Plans.

Six (6) months of Electronic Health Record and / or computer skills.