Peer Recovery Specialist bei Chesterfield County, VA

About the Department

Who We Are:
Mental Health Support Services (MHSS) is the provider of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services for children and adults in Chesterfield County. The Mobile Outreach Team is seeking a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist to join their team. The position is team and community-based, operating primarily outside of an office setting. The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist will meet individuals in various locations, including motels/hotels, shelters, encampments, private residences, treatment facilities, and jails. The Peer Recovery Specialist will provide harm reduction, assist with outreach, provide connection to community resources. If this is your passion, then come join our team!
 
Minimum Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED (bachelor's degree in human services or related field preferred); completion of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) training curriculum, a mandatory prerequisite for the CPRS certification, through the Virginia Certification Board (VCB); one year of experience in providing peer/recovery support services or in related behavioral health work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Lived experience with substance use disorder; experience providing community outreach services preferred; full-sustained recovery from substances.
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Working knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Ability to support others in recovery and demonstrate efforts at self-directed recovery. Effectively represent and advocate for the consumer perspective within the community and the mental health system. Operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment and use of an electronic medical record. Communicate effectively orally and in writing; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Knowledge of substance use harm reduction principles preferred; knowledge of substance use treatment and resources preferred; ability to exercise mature judgment and an understanding of safety concerns preferred; ability to adapt well to changing priorities and challenging individuals preferred; ability to embody a non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services and resources preferred.
 
Additional Requirements:

Must be a self-identified current or former recipient of mental health services for a severe and persistent mental illness. Depending on the position, may require CPRS certification through VCB.

Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, and education/degree verification required.

Position Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
 
 • Assists consumers in developing personal recovery and wellness goals, and models/mentors recovery process and demonstrates coping skills;
 
 • Monitors and assesses consumer progress and makes recommendations or modifications to treatment plan;
 
 • Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services; assists consumers in accessing services by educating about community and natural supports and how to utilize these in the recovery process;
 
 • Establishes rapport and reduce harm by providing critical, life-saving resources such as naloxone, drug testing supplies, safer sex supplies, and hygiene items;
 
 • Works as part of a team to provide harm reduction tools and strategies, connects individuals to community resources, and links them to recovery services and supports using a person-centered approach;
 
 • Responds to overdose hotspots and collaborates with county and community resources; and
 
 • Performs other work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Shift varies Monday - Friday; occasional evening and weekend availability as needed.

Other Qualifications

Mental Health Support Services