Peer Navigator (peer Support Specialist)

Job Announcement

Join our efforts to support individuals as they seek behavioral health services through the Fairfax-Falls Church Community services Board. The incumbent in this position will provide education and support to individuals seeking an assessment for services through the Entry & Referral unit, and the Office of Individual & Family Affairs at the Merrifield Center. This includes assisting individuals with their concerns, distress, and challenges that emerge during the process of coming in to be assessed for services, supporting individuals who may need to come back a different day, or need non-CSB services. Explaining the process in ways that can be easily understood, advocating within the team for the needs of individuals seeking services, providing navigation to services such as self-help groups and self-sufficiency support, and peer counseling. Some services are provided the same day, with follow-up navigation services also provided as needed. Collaborates with other staff including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, and Psychiatrists. The Peer Recovery Navigator will have lived experience navigating and receiving behavioral health services for themselves. Most services will be provided on-site at the Merrifield Center.

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Facilitates wellness and recovery groups and teaches recovery principles one on one;
• Assists individuals to fully participate in the communities where they live and work by orienting individuals to community resources, educating how to access, and advocating for increased opportunities for involvement;
• Coaches individuals in developing wellness and recovery plans, following through with those plans, and overcoming obstacles.
• Facilitates communication and understanding between recipients and providers of services so that providers make better informed recommendations and recipients make better informed choices;
• Explains services and procedures to individuals being served, and anyone they want to be involved for their support, so they know what to expect;
• Assists individuals to articulate their needs and concerns to providers;
• Provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for individuals receiving services;
• Serves as advocate and liaison between individuals, families, clinical professionals, physicians, and others involved in the individual’s recovery;
• Assists other staff with supporting those being served and reviewing their progress and consults as necessary when individuals are in psychiatric crisis or appear to be at risk.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Ability to use one's lived personal experience of mental illness and/or substance use experience with accessing different levels of care;
• Ability to use one's lived experience to further healthy, positive interactions with service recipients at differing levels of engagement and stages of change
• Knowledge of the principles, process and components of wellness and recovery;
• Knowledge of ethics and boundaries as they relate to the peer specialist practice;
• Knowledge of human services available from public, private and volunteer organizations;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships and boundaries with individuals receiving services, staff, and the general public;
• Ability to retrieve, compose and save progress notes into the electronic health record;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of clinical, medical, and other sensitive records;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education;
Plus 4 months of experience in providing peer/recovery support services.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) within six months of employment.

Some positions within this classification will require additional certifications and licenses, as defined by the position description and posted in job announcements.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Northern Virginia behavioral health and self-sufficiency resources
• 2+ years’ experience in a peer support role

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift and handle materials with manual dexterity. Ability to observe client behavior/appearance, and converse with clients & coworkers. Ability to lift up to 10lbs and be physically active for three hours at a time. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.