Peer Support Specialist

1. Title of position: Peer Support Specialist 

2. Duties and responsibilities 

The Peer Support Specialist uses VR’s unique clinical approach to demonstrate and share lived experiences with clients and patients across the VR continuum of care. The PSS will assist veterans, first responders, military members and families by offering supportive services including community referrals and resources and most importantly, hope. The PSS supports clients with mental illness through shared recovery experience. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Collect data from clients at intake and follow-ups 
• Document all services and submit in a timely and accurate manner 
• Coordinate client care within VR and with courts, social service organizations, regional medical centers/clinics and other health care organizations to ensure proper working relations. 
• Complete home/community visits. 
• Implement life skills education. 
• Utilize tools such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to assist clients in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
• Provide peer services in an individual and group setting as needed 
• Assist clients in identifying barriers to recovery, relapse warning signs and problem-solving/coping skills. 
• Assist clients in understanding their mental illness & developing support systems that will aid recovery. 
• Share personal experience with recovery as appropriate and serve as a role model in promoting recovery. 
• Maintain necessary administrative & clinical documentation of service activities 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

3. Required Qualifications 

• Must be a Veteran of the United States Military
• Completion of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be in recovery from a diagnosed mental illness or in recovery from drugs or alcohol
• Concurrent participation in clinical supervision by a licensed or certified QSAP I, required
• DMH Peer Support certification (required) or must obtain certification within 180 days of hire, required. 

 Obtain and maintain Driver’s Clearance and vehicle insurance. 

4. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Ability to maintain highly confidential information, including working knowledge of HIPAA and understanding of privacy, confidentiality and therapeutic boundaries 

• Ability to develop and maintain rapport with personally and culturally diverse clients 

• Ability to work collaboratively in an inter-disciplinary team environment. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust among coworkers, clients and the community. 

• Willingness to gain understanding about cultural humility and other principles of trauma-informed care, person-centered care, evidence-based practice, and military cultural competence 

• Problem-solving and other recovery support services, navigation of regional health care system, transportation services, and linkage to housing and other social services 

• Knowledgeable about cultural humility and other principles of trauma-informed care, person-centered care, evidence-based practice, and military cultural competence.

Willingness to commit to VR’s organizational values (Integrity, Compassion and Respect) and strategic direction. 

5. Supervisory relationships 

• Reports directly to the Senior Peer Support Specialist. 

• Provides no direct supervision. 

6. Amount of travel and any other special conditions or requirements 

• Local travel in Mobile and Baldwin Counties (estimated 200 miles per month) 

• Reliable transportation and state-mandated minimum vehicle insurance coverage 

7. FLSA status 

• Hourly, Non-exempt 

8. Hours per day or week 

• Full-time position at 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)