This position involves weekday daytime and evening program coverage for the Outpatient Behavioral Health programs, as well as assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of these mental health services. Participates in interagency planning and service coordination activities as directed to improve and enhance service continuity and effectiveness for patients. Provides face to face interactions that support an individual achieving their self-identified level of recovery, wellness, independence or personal strengths. Serves as a role model of recovery and wellness and self-advocacy. Assists an individual or family receiving services with writing and communicating their personal recovery-wellness plans and to identify ways to reach those goals using a person-centered, individual recovery-wellness plan.

Provides trained peer-to-peer support in groups encouraging and supporting participation and self-directed participation, such as WRAP, Dual Recovery, etc. Facilitates non-clinical peer to peer recovery education and wellness coaching through group activities in topics such as health leisure activities, community involvement strategies, etc. Mentors community integration activities by providing community networking and linkage with social, recreational, spiritual, volunteer, educational or vocational resources. Assists the person in identifying community-based supports that sustain a healthy lifestyle. Supports, encourages, and enhances the development of natural support systems. Provide emotional support during the acquisition, exploration and sustaining of employment and/or educational services. Attends treatment team and program development meetings. Participates in regular group supervision and individual supervision as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing the provision of clinical services, and addressing administrative issues. Documents all service contacts within 24 hours of contact including face-to-face, collateral and networking contacts. Demonstrate appropriate & complete documentation of treatment - related information including treatment plans and reviews, progress notes, correspondence, releases of information, etc., in compliance with agency standards and in accordance with all application regulations. Actively communicates findings, progress and other needs with the rest of the Outpatient Behavioral Health team. Maintains collaborative relationships and communication with community referring agencies to formulate appropriate collaborative intervention strategies.

Attends mandatory trainings as required by the management team. Shares their unique perspective on recovery from mental illness with non-peer staff. Develops and maintains a positive working relationship with community resources, treatment providers, mental health providers, health care providers, shelter providers, landlords, detox centers and other community programs which may support participants. Acts in a collaborative and respectively manner while carry out functions of the program.

Education

High School Diploma or GED required

Certification & Licensure

Registered as a Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia is required

Qualifications

Ability to positively interact with persons with mental illness, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities, their family members, agency staff and community members required.

Ability to provide active listening, education and assistive supports to consumers and family members required. Good personal management skills - time management, organization, dependability and independence required.

Ability to work as a team member with agency staff and others on behalf of Recovery initiatives required General knowledge and understanding of mental illness, substance use, and developmental disabilities required.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles and components of recovery required.

Knowledge of support counseling practices and techniques required.

Knowledge of the local mental health/substance use disorder local systems as well as various services available in the community including public, private, and volunteer organizations required.

Ability to adapt to changes following implementation, if evaluation of the program indicates a need for change.