Forensic Veteran Certified Peer Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Veteran Initiatives Forensic Certified Peer Specialist (VICPS) works in the Veteran Initiatives Unit (VIU) at the Behavioral Health and Justice Division (BHJD) within the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS). The VICPS position is intended to inspire hope in veterans referred to DBHIDS that recovery is not only possible but probable by promoting the active involvement of people in their own recovery process. Referrals are obtained through the Philadelphia Municipal Court Veteran Court of the First Judicial District, BHJD's Resource Portal, family, and other sources.

The VICPS' primary focus is the Veteran being served. The VICPS will work with Veterans in their community environment, assisting them in their recovery through self disclosure, instilling a sense of encouragement and vision in the future by assisting them to: 1) better understand their behavioral health; 2) promote self-advocacy; 3) develop interpersonal skills and social support/networks; 4) reinforcement of budgeting skills to allow greater independence in management of funds; 5) develop leisure and recreational activity planning skills; 6) and integrate with self-help support groups and other community avenues toward advancing their personal recovery objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Work closely with the VIU Manager to provide supportive services to Veterans referred to the DBHIDS through Philadelphia's Municipal Court Veterans Court, BHJD's Resource Portal, family, and other referral sources.
• Assist in the development of forensic recovery plans, Wellness Recover Action Plans (WRAP), for Veterans with behavioral health challenges.
• Support Veterans to develop independent living skills through referrals to professional agencies and other support strategies including self-help organizations, etc.
• Perform outreach functions by developing relationships with community resources helpful to Veterans in need. The VICPS will also perform outreach to Veterans in the community such as those that are homeless or dishonorably discharged to connect them with resources that will divert them from the criminal justice system.
• Promote the knowledge of available service options and choices for Veterans and promote the utilization of natural resources in the community.
• Provide opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery and inspire hope that recovery is not only possible but probable; teach and support acquiring and utilizing skills needed in the person's recovery.
• Facilitate the development of a sense of self-worth and wellness.
• Track project outcomes and data to include monitoring veterans progress in the treatment and inputting that data into various tracking systems.

Skills Required:

Must be a Veteran. Must have completed Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist training. Must have good verbal and written communication skills and work well with people without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law. Must have good, creative problemsolving skills. Be able to work independently and as a team, be flexible and adaptive in handling changing priorities in a fast-paced work environment and use a computer for service documentation. Preference given for prior experience working with criminal courts or in other criminal justice environments.

Education and Experience:

• Must have completed first military Term with a General discharge or Higher.
• DD214 must be sent with application or brought to interview.
• High School Diploma or GED; BA degree in social science field preferred.
• Prior forensic involvement.
• Must be a current or former recipient of behavioral health services for 2 years or more.
• Achieved at least one year of recovery.
• Must have successfully completed DBH sponsored CPS Training Program or Certified Recovery Specialist training.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently or become disabled must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC will examine reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis with accordance with the law.