Peer Specialist, PSH - Fredericksburg, United States - Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Provides direct support through developing peer-to-peer relationships, sharing personal recovery experiences, enabling and monitoring their Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to seriously mentally ill individuals in the Permanent Supportive Housing program. Work is performed under regular supervision and is guided by well-established and specific agency policies and procedures and ethical standards related to client interactions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists individuals in identifying and connecting to community resources.
2. Provides transportation necessary to facilitate community integration.
3. Supports individuals in independent living skills.
4. Provide support to individuals transitioning into housing.
5. Functions as a role model to peers by exhibiting competency in personal recovery, adherence to treatment regimens, and use of coping strategies.
6. Facilitates the establishment of peer and family support networks.
7. Educates individuals in WRAP planning and recovery principles.
8. Provides a range of structured activities to assist individuals in their recovery process and to support the goals of the individual's documented individual Service Plan and/or Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
9. Provides supportive counseling and refers to appropriate team members as circumstances indicate.
10. Collaborates with treatment staff concerning individual progress and concerns.
11. Records progress and reports health, safety and other concerns regarding the individual to appropriate staff members.
12. Facilitates WRAP, wellness, and recovery services.
13. Communicates with family members and other concerned parties on behalf of the residents.
14. Participates in trainings on peer support topics and services.
15. Provides supportive atmosphere for individuals receiving services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough understanding of the WRAP process, principles and other recovery techniques; considerable knowledge of the principles and components of recovery; considerable knowledge of individual supportive counseling practices and techniques including crisis intervention; ability to use one's life experience to further positive interactions with individual's receiving services at different levels of engagement; ability to observe and record individual behaviors and functioning; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with tenants, staff of the agency and of other private and public agencies and organizations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical boundaries as related to the position; ability to follow directions and work independently; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to function calmly in crisis situa­tions; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records; willingness to communicate with supervisor regarding status of personal mental health, if symptoms are likely to impact job performance.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma. Prior experience in working with individuals with a serious mental illness, facing homelessness, and/or residing in housing programs preferred. Personal experience and knowledge of the wellness and recovery process and considerable experience in providing formal peer/recovery support services. Completion of Virginia Consumer Empowerment & Leadership Training (CELT Basic Leadership Academy) or comparable program/certification. Completion of Certified Peer Specialist Program. Active membership in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Personal experience and knowledge of recovery. Certificate of Completion of Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). WRAP Facilitator Certification within 6 months of appointment.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

DMAS qualified Paraprofessional. Certification in CELT. Certification as Peer Recovery Specialist. Valid VA driver's license.