Peer Support Specialist

For more than 60 years, PRS, now HopeLink Behavioral Health, has provided comprehensive and specialized support to individuals and families living with behavioral health challenges or facing a life crisis. We envision a society where hope is universal. Through access to quality behavioral health, crisis intervention, and suicide intervention services, we foster an inclusive community in which everyone can attain wellness and a genuine sense of belonging.

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF POSITION:
The Peer Support Specialist is a professional peer with personal lived experience in mental health or substance use recovery who provides side-by-side skill-teaching support to members of the psychosocial day programs from the unique and empowering peer perspective. This position also provides information on the recovery process and will promote opportunities to enhance the ability of clients served to move into recovery.

WHAT WE OFFER:

- Meaningful Work: Make a real difference in the lives of others.

- Competitive Salary: $20-$21

- Supportive Environment: Join a dedicated team committed to providing high-quality care.

SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

- Schedule: 25 hrs per week, Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

- Onsite: Hope House: 3026 Javier Road, Fairfax, VA 22031

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Use unique lived experience and peer perspective to provide side-by-side rehabilitative skill-building to members in a variety of settings including the Psychosocial Day Program and in the community. Skill teaching will assist members in developing meaningful identities as students and volunteers.
Provide culturally relevant, peer-informed support to individuals and groups of members directed at assisting clients to improve health and wellness, build independent living, interpersonal, and professional skills, and transition toward further community integration, such as work, school, or volunteering.
Work together with members to provide outreach phone calls to active/inactive clients.
Document outreach contacts in client electronic heath record within the same business day the contact is made
Complete Orientation Checklist for newly admitted members in the electronic health record.
Update program team on changes in level of functioning for clients served.
Communicate to clinical staff the need for crisis intervention for clients served.
Provide assistance in transportation education.
Provide education on the recovery process based on personal experience and program material.
Participate in activities to promote professional growth.
Represent staff in agency and/or community-based workgroups to enhance services provided within, and related to, program services for target population, as needed.
Demonstrate flexibility in performance of duties as needed. This will include work hours that will encompass evenings and weekends.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:

Adaptability to changes in environment and situations
Strong and effective communication skills and accepts criticism and feedback
Dependability by following instructions, responds to management direction and keeps commitments
Meets attendance punctuality guidelines
Maintains emotional self-awareness and manages relationships positively
Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming and building interpersonal relationships
Contributes to building a positive team spirit and exhibits objectivity and openness to others views

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED.
Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) or ability to become RPRS within 6 months of hire.
High degree of empathy toward the clients we serve.
Excellent public speaking skills including the ability to facilitate groups.
Strong computer skills relevant to this position.
Must be a Peer which is a person who has personal lived experience and has used mental health services (past or present)
Ability to obtain ServSafe certification required

The above statements reflect the usual responsibilities and principal functions of the position and shall not be construed as a complete description of all the work requirements that may be inherent or added to the position.

Ready to Join Our Mission?

If you're passionate about helping people achieve mental wellness, we encourage you to apply!

HopeLink Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

'Where Hope Meets Help.'

This position is subject to background check requirements, including disqualifying 'barrier crimes' under DBHDS regulations.

Barrier Crimes List - https://prsincorg-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/ktalley_hopelinkbh_org/IQDppI_mH6zHR6CD8Uj3wIw8AUmZuaphSajCcZTL3fEMNr0?e=V8GLBW