Peer Recovery Specialist-ACT
The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) is a fully integrated team member having a “lived experience” and a personal recovery story specific to primary mental illness. This Peer Recovery Specialist provides highly individualized services in the community and promotes the self-determination and shared decision-making abilities of individuals. Responsible for providing peer support services to individuals diagnosed with serious mental health and or substance use disorders.
The Peer Recovery Specialist demonstrates proficiency in personal recovery skills and utilize coping skills in order to serve as a role model to individuals served. Provides education regarding wellness and recovery, self advocacy, community integration and may assist individuals with basic physical, financial, socials, personal and other recovery needs of daily living.
The Peer Recovery Specialist serves as an advocate for individuals receiving ACT and assist them with creating a recovery based environment. Promotes recovery, self-determination and personal growth by supporting individuals as they identify personal goals and create wellness driven recovery plans.
Typical tasks include:
- Assist individuals in building social skills within the community
- Assist individuals in identifying personal recovery goals through the use of individual and group sessions, focusing on the individuals’ skills, strengths, supports, and resources in order to aid them in achieving these goals
- Teach/train recovery information and recovery tools (ie WRAP, etc) in order to assist individuals in developing individualized wellness and recovery plans
- Model personal responsibility, self-advocacy, and wellness via telling of own recovery story (comfortable sharing coping strategies utilized in order to maintain their recovery)
- Support individuals employment and/or education choices and assist them in choosing a vocation that matches their strengths and desires, assist with overcoming job related anxieties by reviewing job applications and providing interview tips and resume assistance
- Assist individuals with obtaining services that meet the individuals identified needs, desires and recovery goals
- Assist individuals with accessing community resources and identifying natural supports
- Assist individuals in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups as well as means of locating and joining existing groups
- Maintain accurate case files consistent with agency guidelines and licensure standards
- Collaborate regularly with treatment team members, other service providers and significant others as necessary
- Attend staff meetings, case review meetings and staff training activities as required
- Transport individuals as necessary
- Work a flexible work schedule to include evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
- Other duties as assigned
The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.
Vocational/Educational Requirement:Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
Experience:In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this job class requires a minimum of one year of related, full-time equivalent experience.
Special Certifications and Licenses:Must complete Virginia Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Services (DBHDS) Peer Recovery Specialist Training and become certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist in the state of Virginia and possess within one year of hire. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record in compliance with City driving standards.
Special Requirement(s):Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.