Title: Peer Recovery Specialist

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $22.81/hr

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Purpose of this position is to assist in the development of and implementation of therapeutic interventions within the psychosocial treatment program. To provide Peer Recovery programming available to all patients of Western State Hospital and provide on-unit interventions as indicated.

- Conducts 17 hours of PSR interventions per week according to approved schedule.
- Provides group and individual WRAP/AAPR facilitation.
- Ensures that interventions are appropriate to individual patients ages, interests, and abilities as reflected by assessment data.
- Interacts with patients according to TO guidelines.
- Provides group and individual Peer Support as a Peer Support Specialist, utilizing the Recovery Model.
- Groups to be conducted during and outside of PSR Treatment Mall hours.
- Work with clients 1:1 to provide direct Peer Support. Work with treatment team to enhance client's Recovery and experience at the hospital.
- Relay client's goals, communicate intervention ideas, advocate for client.

Minimum Qualifications

- Knowledge of psychiatric conditions, personality development and behaviors, recreational and activity programs.
- ability to involve patients in therapeutic activities; knowledge of various modalities.
- Ability to follow directions and communicate clearly.
- Essential functions of this position require: repetitious walking, sitting and/or standing as part of routine work; 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

- Bilingual
- Veteran/veteran spouse
- College courses in recreation, occupational therapy, psychology or related fields preferred.
- Certification in WRAP or APPR preferred.
- Experience preparing group material and facilitating Recovery groups or other group based interventions preferred.
- Prior experience working with people recovering from mental health and/or substance use disorder preferred

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.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s 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 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (540-332-8300) for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

Western State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.

DBHDS Facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated for COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits and offer COVID - 19 vaccination programs to staff, residents, clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s 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 800-552-5019.

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.