PRN Veteran Peer Support Specialist

PRN Veteran Peer Support Specialist

Job Title: Veteran Peer Support Specialist

Reports To: Clinical Director

Job Functions:

The Part-time Veteran Peer Support Specialist (VPSS) at Virtue Recovery Center Killeen plays a vital role within the interdisciplinary team, working under the supervision of the Clinical Director. The VPSS is responsible for a range of peer therapeutic and supportive tasks, including helping clients articulate their recovery goals, facilitating the development of new skills, monitoring their progress, and helping in their treatment journey. The VPSS collaborates with veteran service organizations and programs to ensure that clients in the military program have access to the necessary resources to support their recovery after discharge. May take clients on outings or transport clients in company vehicles. May work with non-military-connected clients as directed by leadership. This position is part-time and on a as needed basis, which may include weekends (8-24 hours weekly).

Essential Duties:

· Duties will be performed as needed on a PRN basis. The VPSS will initially work Mondays, Fridays, and possibly Saturdays for approximately 8- 24 hours weekly (hours may change based on Census).

· Under the Clinical Director’s supervision, the VPSS will facilitate veterans’ and Peer Support Groups as needed.

· Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, will meet with VPSS weekly for support check-ins.

· The VPSS will help clients coordinate VA claims and benefits assistance with support agencies such as VA, MVPN, DAV, TVC and VSO.

· May also coordinate Veteran-specific activities.

· Facilitate recovery-based peer groups for both military and non-military clients in recovery.

· Provides recovery tools and resources to military-connected clients to help with client transition.

· Identifies client step-down service options, including (VA After Care, SATPOP, IOP, PHP, AA/NA groups) support for clients upon intake, with cemented plan at least one week before discharge.

· Serves as a recovery mentor by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic recovery-oriented services to help Veterans achieve improved health, wellness, and quality of life through a change process.

· Adhere to all Virtue Recovery Center policies and procedures, including confidentiality, professional ethics, training requirements, and electronic health records documentation including client contact notes.

· Under the supervision if the Clinical Director and as necessary, handles crisis interventions for military-connected clients and addresses other emergent situations in collaboration with the veterans or servicemembers’ clinicians.

· May provide transport for clients as needed and will be on an “on-call” basis for military-connected- client needs.

· May assist with community outreach as required

· Perform duties as directed by Clinical Director and facility leadership.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimal Qualifications:

· Must have Texas Driver’s License and maintain approved driving status throughout employment
· Ability to work collaboratively and be part of a multidisciplinary professional team
· Must be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition
· High School Diploma or equivalent
· Certified as a Peer Specialist or MHPS by an agency or person authorized by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to certify peers, or is under the supervision of a person who is eligible to supervise peers who are in the process of obtaining certification.
· Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience with veteran outreach and representing organizations at events preferred

· Experience providing one on one and/or group peer support preferred

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Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret human service periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and analyze policies and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Electronic Health Records; Internet software; Payroll systems; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have reasonable ability to do the following:

· Stand, walk and sit during assigned shift hours.

· Have the ability to manually handle patient belongings with gloved hands.

· Be able to manually assess a patient as part of a physical exam.

· Reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

· Speak and have access to the special senses within normal limits (hear, taste, smell,

etc.) as it applies to patient care.

· Must be capable of lifting up to 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Employee_______________________________________________Date________________________

Employee Signature______________________________________________________________

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 – $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person