Peer Specialist - Lifespan

� Conduct community outreach to engage veterans in social and recreational activities to form meaningful and trusting relationships that can lead to identifying the need for behavioral health services.

� Provides opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery process.

� Coaches and supports the acquisition and use of skills needed to facilitate individual recovery.

� Assists veterans in identifying their personal strengths abilities and needs and articulating personal recovery goals and advocating for themselves during treatment.

� Promotes the identification and use of natural resources and support systems within the community accompanying them to assist is accessing services.

� Facilitates the development of a sense of wellness self worth and personal control over one�s life and recovery journey

� Acts as a role model to Veterans in recovery to inspire hope; share life experiences and lessons learned as a person with lived experience

� Models/mentors recovery process and demonstrate coping skills.

� Assists in the orientation process for persons who are new to receiving mental health and/or co-occurring treatment

� Demonstrates cultural sensitivity to the military experience and competence in trauma informed care as relevant to the needs of individuals in recovery.

� Supports the individual in seeking to connect/reconnect with family friends and significant others and in learning how to improve or eliminate unhealthy relationships

� As requested by client fosters spiritual connections with faith-based organizations and/or participation in self-help and mutual support groups.

� Adheres to Veterans Recovery Resources policies and procedures.

� Participates in supervision team conferencing department and agency meetings.

� Maintains detailed accurate and timely documentation in medical record.

� Follows agency policies and standards for client rights and confidentiality.

� Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

� Veteran who has spent a minimum of 2 years in personal recovery from a mental health and/or substance use condition.

� High school diploma or GED

� Ability to complete certification as a peer recovery specialist

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

� Be self-identified current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to others who have not utilized those services.

� Have demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.

� Attended trainings on relevant topics such as behavioral health substance use and chronic health conditions

JOB KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY:

� Valid driver's license and use of car during normal working hours or other means of transportation to complete major functions of job.

� Ability to establish trusting relationships with peers.

� Ability to work independently and also as an integral part of multidisciplinary team

� Be able to recognize early triggers and signs of relapse

� Be able to use computer to record services or be willing to learn