COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B/ PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST - CHARLOTTESVILLE (FULL-TIME)

About the Role

This is a FLSA non-exempt position serving as a Community Services Associate for the MH Residential Team. The role involves providing direct supportive services to consumers living in group homes and independent apartments, with a focus on developing and implementing self-care skills training programs tailored to individual clients. The incumbent will assist with medication management, monitor health and nutrition, provide personal care, and help consumers utilize community resources. The overall goal is to assist consumers in remaining psychiatrically stable while fostering personal and social supports.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to individuals with co-occurring serious mental illness or substance use disorders.
• Assess needs and plan services based on individual strengths; develop and monitor individual service plans using Person-Centered Planning.
• Assist with medication education, diagnosis education, and medication management.
• Monitor clients' health, nutrition, and physical condition.
• Collaborate with clients' care managers and other care providers.
• Link individuals directly to services and supports specified in their service plans.
• Provide rehabilitative services, including training in activities of daily living (ADLs), monitoring nutritional and medical needs, and assisting with community resource utilization.
• Enhance community adjustment and integration by developing services that increase opportunities for community access and involvement.
• Provide social skills training to improve consumers' social competence.
• Introduce best practice recovery skills such as WRAP, Pathways, and/or 12-step programs.
• Share personal story connected to mental health/substance abuse recovery, if applicable.
• Maintain casework records to document Mental Health Support Services and Peer Support for Medicaid reimbursement.
• Attend in-service training and staff development programs to enhance service understanding and provision.
• Acquire and maintain certifications such as CPR, First Aid, and medication administration.
• Maintain a valid driving license and provide proof of valid personal automobile insurance for business use.
• Read and follow through on agency communications and requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned related to program requirements and the provision of Mental Health Support Services.

Requirements

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record as issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Certificate of valid personal automobile insurance for business use of a personal car.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification as QMHP-Eligible (Qualified Mental Health Professional - Eligible), QMHP, or CPRS is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• The nature of serious mental illness in adults and co-occurring mental illness with chemical abuse.
• Concepts and practices of recovery from illness and its impact on daily life.
• Tools for fostering recovery interest and achievement.
• Treatment modalities and intervention techniques (e.g., behavior management, independent living skills training, supportive counseling, crisis intervention).
• Medical issues related to mental illness and substance abuse symptomatology.
• Medications and their side effects.
• Types of assessments, planning, and consumers' rights.
• Local community resources and service delivery systems, including support services (e.g., housing, financial, social welfare, dental, transportation).
• Eligibility criteria, intake processes, and termination criteria for services.
• Types of mental health programs and services.
• Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication principles and techniques.
• General principles of record documentation.
• The service planning process and major components of a service plan.

Skills in:

• Interviewing and observing, recording, and reporting on an individual's functioning.
• Identifying and documenting a consumer's needs for resources, services, and other support.
• Using information from assessments, evaluations, and interviews to develop service plans.
• Identifying services within the community and established service systems to meet individual needs.
• Formulating, writing, and implementing individualized service plans.
• Negotiating with consumers and service providers.
• Coordinating the provision of services by diverse public and private providers.
• Identifying community resources and organizations.
• Using assessment tools (e.g., level of functional scale, life profile scale).
• Providing non-punitive behavior management and consultation.

Abilities to:

• Demonstrate a positive regard for consumers and their families (e.g., treating consumers as individuals, allowing risk-taking, respecting privacy).
• Be persistent and remain objective.
• Work as a team member, maintaining effective inter- and intra-agency working relationships.
• Work independently under general supervision.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Drive defensively.

Schedule

Full Time

Location

MH Residences at Carlton Road, Nunleey Street, and/or Cedar Hill, Charlottesville, VA 22903