Peer Support Specialist (Peer Recovery Spec II) - BHOP Turning Point

About the role

This position works within our Behavioral Health Outpatient Services - Turning Point Team. You will engage youth and young adults in the community following development of psychotic-like experiences, using recovery-focused approaches.

Responsibilities

• Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum;
• Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans;
• Collaborates with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners;
• Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual’s goals and interests;
• Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services;
• Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services;
• Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education; plus, any combination of education and experience equivalent to 1 year of Human Services experience.
• Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Virginia Certification Board, or peer recovery certification by a member board of IC&RC through another state, or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC - within six months of hire.
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) - within six months of hire.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of peer recovery services;
• Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
• Knowledge of wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices;
• Knowledge of basic clinical psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices;
• Ability to effectively relate one’s own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
• Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
• Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
• Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
• Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
• Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including consistent use of recovery-oriented language;
• Ability to maintain records and use evaluation and survey tools;
• Ability to recognize signs of distress and threats to safety in individuals served and in the environment;
• Ability to take appropriate action, consistent with scope of practice, to address distress and crisis.

Skills

• Knowledge of local resources, services, and support in the community relevant to the population;
• Ability to relate one’s own lived experiences of wellness and recovery;
• Ability to provide one-on-one peer recovery services;
• Ability to provide group peer recovery services;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with individuals served;
• Ability to facilitate development of wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans;
• Ability to assist individuals to access supports and services needed for recovery;
• Ability to collaborate with other behavioral health professionals;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including consistent use of recovery-oriented language;
• Ability to maintain records and use evaluation and survey tools;
• Ability to recognize signs of distress and threats to safety in individuals served and in the environment;
• Ability to take appropriate action, consistent with scope of practice, to address distress and crisis.

Benefits

Employment with Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Extensive training and development;
• Employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities;
• A highly competitive wage and benefits package.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $40,000 - $45,000 annually.

Schedule

Some evenings until 8:00 pm and occasional weekend work as necessary. This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)