Peer Recovery Specialist

Title: Peer Recovery Specialist

State Role Title:Social and Human Service Assistants

Hiring Range: starting at $41000 (commensurate based on experience)

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Western State Hospital

Agency Website: Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Peer Recovery Specialist to assist in the development of and implement training or therapeutic interventions within the psychosocial treatment program. The Peer Recovery Specialist will provide 18 hours of PSR groups per week; ensure that interventions are appropriate to individual patients ages interests and abilities as reflected by assessment data; work directly with treatment teams to engage clients by utilizing treatment team recommendations and give recommendation for improved client participation; provide group and individual Peer Support as a Peer Support Specialist utilizing the Recovery Model; and ensure groups will be conducted during and outside of PSR Treatment Mall hours.

This position will also work with clients 1:1 to provide direct Peer Support; consult with social work staff as the peer member of the Substance Use Diversion team; organize monthly Peer Support meetings; attend 75% required departmental meetings when scheduled to be on duty; conduct one satisfaction survey of consumers served in program; and manage my daily work schedule to ensure being in group prior to the start of group.

This position is eligible for:

- retirement with cash match
- paid time off sick time family/personal time and community service time
- life insurance
- health vision and dental insurance

Minimum Qualifications

- High school diploma or equivalent
- Valid Virginia Drivers license
- Must obtain certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist in the Commonwealth of Virginia or other DBHDS recognized peer specialist curriculum within 6 months of employment
- Understanding of Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery (APPR) WRAP or other Recovery Planning curriculum
- Ability to establish therapeutic rapport with a variety of clients
- Ability to lead psychosocial rehabilitation groups
- Ability to prepare engaging and educational group content
- Ability to do the following: repetitious walking; sitting and/or standing as part of routine work; normal visual acuity to observe and report changes in patients behaviors on a continuous basis; bending; lifting; and reaching overhead to position restrain transfer transport or escort patients; and to assist patients to perform activities

Additional Considerations

- College courses in mental health psychosocial rehabilitation or related therapies
- Certification in Mental health and/or SU protocols curriculum
- Experience running recovery or support groups
- Experience working with people with mental health and/or substance issues
- Bilingual
- Veteran or veteran spouse

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Western State Hospital is a tobacco free facility in all state buildings and on facility grounds. Submit a completed state application online at if assistance is needed contact by email To apply for a job you must make sure that your online application is complete. MISSING INFORMATION IS AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION AND WILL NOT BE PROCESSED. Please make sure all telephone numbers/addresses are current and up-to-date. REMEMBER YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBER. You have not completed applying for this position until you receive a confirmation number. If you are connected to a printer print the confirmation number so that you can track the progress of your application and click on OK. If you are not connected to a printer write down the confirmation number and then click on OK. Reasonable accommodations for the application and/or interview processes are available upon request to persons with disabilities per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Minorities Veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. WSH is an EEO compliance facility.

In accordance with Executive Directive #18 as a condition of employment the Commonwealth of Virginia requires all Executive Branch employees including new hires and contract workers to disclose their vaccination status. If you are the selected candidate proof of vaccination will be required during new employee orientation on your first day of work. Employees that are not vaccinated must be tested weekly.

Commonwealths Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability use this link: or call DARS ator DBVI at .

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.