Peer Support Specialist - West End Wellness Center

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Peer Support Specialist position.

An Overview

A Peer Support Specialist provides peer support services to individuals with a serious mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders; provides motivational support to begin the process of understanding recovery and stages of change; assists clients, staff and others understand appropriate supportive responses, wellness measures, and the overall recovery process; offers assistance with advocacy and psychosocial rehabilitation to improve community integration.

What You Should Bring

The Peer Support Specialist will have some experience providing services to individuals who have had a serious mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Peer Support Specialist will be grounded in consumer values, empowerment, and self-determination and have knowledge of peer support, WRAP, integrated treatment for individuals who have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders; knowledge of community resources, and ability to access these services; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity

• Provides peer support services to individuals and groups with substance use, mental health, and/or behavioral challenges in one-on-one and group settings;
• Assists in the development of strengths-based individual goals;
• Assists in coordinating activities, programs and resources which directly support clients and family members/caregivers in achieving wellness and recovery-oriented goals such as self-help and peer-led groups;
• Provides skill training to clients and family members/caregivers on tasks related to recovery-focused goals;
• Assists and advocates for clients and family members/caregivers as they navigate through the system of care including assisting with referral follow through; transition to different levels of care; facilitating and encouraging family member/caregiver involvement as appropriate;
• Serves as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues that a peer is unable to resolve on his or her own;
• Educates individuals about various pathways to recovery and available community services;
• Works as part of the treatment team including participating in meetings; encouraging and supporting clients and family members/caregivers in understanding, adhering to, and progressing in the treatment plan; evaluating their responses; outreaching; and empowering them to communicate openly and directly with treatment providers;
• Collects and report data on activities and participant outcomes;
• Completes required licensing and program documentation in the electronic medical record;
• Assists clients in planning recreational and educational activities;
• Participates in treatment team meetings;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About the Department

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

High School Diploma or GED. At least six (6) months of personal experience with and knowledge of recovery and/or living with significant emotional, mental/behavioral health and/or substance use challenges or the caregiver (biological, adoptive or kin) of a child with significant emotional, mental/behavioral health and/or substance use challenges; and a willingness to acknowledge this experience to peers and others, as appropriate. Experience navigating the mental/behavioral health, substance use, child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems for themselves or their child.

Licenses/Certifications: Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in Virginia within one year of hire. Successful completion of Federal criminal records check and Child Abuse Registry check.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field; At least one year of experience working with individuals with a mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. or equivalent training; At least one year of experience providing peer support services to clients with co-occurring disorders. At least one year of e xperience as a current or former recipient of mental health services which may include co-occurring substance abuse treatment and a willingness to acknowledge this experience to consumers and others, as appropriate.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment checks to include: FBI Background Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Driver's License from state of residence and education/certifications.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM, with some evening hours.