Peer Recovery Specialist (Peer Support Specialist)

Using personal experience and training, connects with individuals offering peer support, engagement, and education to individuals receiving Medication for Addiction (MAT) while incarcerated and to others receiving services through the medical branch and behavioral health services. Serves as a staff member of the medical branch and participates in the team working environment. Encourages individuals toward active participation in services, supporting recovery goals, reentry supports, and works to motivate ongoing engagement. Provides education and support to individuals and in a group setting. Identifies specific needs and offers future-focused goals and to support ongoing recovery and engagement, harm reduction, basic needs, safety, and community linkages after release. Provides advocacy for individual concerns. Collects data for program evaluation. Participates in Medical branch team meetings, multi-organizational peer staff meetings, work groups, and other Sheriff’s Office activities as required.

(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.)

• Assists individuals to articulate their needs and concerns to providers;
• 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.
• 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 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;
• Facilitates communication and understanding between recipients and providers of services so that providers make better informed recommendations and recipients make better informed choices;
• Serves as advocate and liaison between individuals, families, clinical professionals, physicians, and others involved in the individual’s recovery;
• Coaches individuals in developing wellness and recovery plans, following through with those plans, and overcoming obstacles.
• Provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for individuals receiving services;
• Facilitates wellness and recovery groups and teaches recovery principles one on one;

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

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use one's lived personal experience of mental illness and/or substance use experience with accessing different levels of care;
• Knowledge of the principles, process and components of wellness and recovery;
• Knowledge of ethics and boundaries as they relate to the peer specialist practice;
• Ability to use one's lived experience to further healthy, positive interactions with service recipients at differing levels of engagement and stages of change
• 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;
• Knowledge of human services available from public, private, and volunteer organizations;

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

• 1-2 years of experience working in a corrections environment.
• Experience with substance use disorder or mental health challenges.
• 2-3 years of experience facilitating educational and support groups.

• Virginia certification as Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or ability to obtain it within 1 year of employment.
• CPR and/or First Aid (Required within 3 months)