PEER SPECIALIST

Job Title

Duties include, but not limited to the following:

• The position participates in the service, training, consultation, and other professional activities of VA health care services and functions as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
• In consultation with the supervisor, the position completes assignments based on peer support service knowledge, skill, and proven sound judgment.
• The position works with Veterans with very complex mental illnesses and challenging situations that require effective communication and decision-making skills.
• The position serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective wellness and holistic, recovery-based services that aid Veterans in daily living.
• The position orients new Veterans to the program's services, hours, locations, staff, and other pertinent information necessary for the Veterans to understand how to effectively utilize the program services. The position assists Veterans in articulating personal recovery and wellness goals through the use of individual or group meetings. During these meetings, the position assists Veterans in identifying their skills, strengths, supports, and resources needed to aid them in achieving their recovery and wellness goals. The position assists Veterans in determining the steps needed to achieve their self-directed recovery and wellness goals. The position utilizes recovery tools to coach Veterans in relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness. The position monitors progress and assists with the execution of the recovery and wellness plan, makes timely reports of progress, and presents new areas of concern to the treatment team. The position also contributes to the development of an effective discharge plan that is based upon their understanding of the Veteran's goals and interests.
• Utilizing their personal recovery experience, the position will:
  • Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.
  • Model effective coping techniques, holistic wellness, and self-help strategies.
  • Assist in obtaining services that suit the individual's personal recovery and wellness needs.
  • Assist Veterans in exploring their interests and options for making improvements in life functioning areas such as housing, employment, relationships, and community engagement (i.e., assist Veterans in exploring options for obtaining decent and affordable housing and coordinate with the treatment team for referrals to appropriate VA housing programs; support Veterans' vocational choices and coordinate with the treatment team for referrals to appropriate resources to support employment such as VA vocational rehabilitation services).
  • Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources, including how to effectively utilize them in the recovery and wellness process. Community resources may include, but are not limited to, consumer-run organizations, self-help and mutual support services, Social Security offices, Department of Family and Children Services, YMCAs, libraries, restaurants, Veteran Service Organizations, and the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
  • Assist Veterans in developing empowerment skills, identifying strengths, and combating stigma through self-advocacy. This is accomplished through regular individual or group meetings and using role playing/modeling techniques.
  • Serves as liaison to community-based organizations to develop and/or foster Veterans' community integration, natural supports, and self-reliant strategies.
  • May perform outreach activities to establish community partnerships that will provide health care services for the Veterans in the community and inform Veterans of the availability of those health care services and other benefits.
  • Assist Veterans in building social skills in the community that enhance community reintegration, using techniques such as role playing and social skills training.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (Subject to change upon the needs of the agency).

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: PD# 99319, 99320, 99321, 99322

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized