Have you received treatment services for mental health or substance use issues and are looking for an opportunity to mentor others?

The Access Peer Recovery Specialist functions as a member of the Access team to help engage new clients coming in for intake, provide support, and encourage ongoing participation in services. Clients may need emotional support in the intake process or if they are currently in crisis. Duties include:

• Providing peer counseling and emotional support to individual clients and families during intake and crisis
• Helping to engage clients discharging from inpatient treatment in outpatient services.
• Assisting with telehealth intake set-up
• Providing a warm handoff from local hospital emergency rooms or psychiatric facilities to the Access Center or Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Acting as a liaison with other BRBH programs and community resources

This position is grant funded (50% Funded by STEP-VA; 50% Funded by BRBH)

Entry Level Pay: $18.00/hour. Additional compensation commensurate upon certification and registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge & Skills: Peer Recovery Specialists must have, at a minimum, qualifications that are documented or observable to include knowledge of:

• Having experienced a mental Health disorder and/or substance use disorder.
• Is or has been a recipient of treatment services for mental health and/or substance use disorder, and good self-knowledge to manage their own recovery
• Skills in assessment, service coordination, communication (oral and written), crisis intervention and basic computer usage.
• Knowledge of mental illness, substance disorders and community resources.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills, ability to work with persons with mental health disorders (with or without co-occurring substance disorders) and ability to establish supportive trusting relationships.
• Possess ability to recognize and adjust practice and services to cultural and ethnic differences.

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Minimum one (1) year recovery time. Having experiences a mental health disorder and/or substance use disorder with good self-knowledge to manage their disorder.
• Licensure/Certifications: Certified Peer Support certification preferred. Required to obtain this certification within one year of beginning employment.
• Safe Driving Record: Candidates must have a valid Virginia driver's license with a safe driving record (no more than two moving violations in the last three years and no criminal violations in the last five years).
• Background Check: Candidates who are offered a position are required to undergo a background check and drug screen. Virginia has restrictions on hiring individuals with certain convictions. Here is the list: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/assets/document-library/BIU/attachment-2rev072017.pdf

Why work at BRBH?

• Team atmosphere: Our small team work hard to change lives.
• Work/Life Balance: We have a great Paid Time Off policy - 29 days annually, which starts accruing on your first day.
• We offer great benefits, including VRS (Virginia Retirement System!) Click here for more information: http://www.brbh.org/benefits/
• Want to know more? Check out our page on Glassdoor to see employee reviews and more information about BRBH: http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Blue-Ridge-Behavioral-Healthcare-EI_IE464369.11.43.htm

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) is one of forty Community Services Boards established under the Code of Virginia to provide comprehensive services for individuals who have mental health disorders, developmental disability, or substance use disorders. BRBH provides multiple programs and services throughout the Roanoke Valley with over 400 employees working to provide quality care to our clients. We are proud to have served our community for over 50 years. BRBH maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. This position is located in Roanoke, VA.