The Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is accepting applications for the position of Pathways Peer Recovery Specialist. We are seeking persons with lived experiences dealing with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or co-occurring disorders (MH/SA). This is an hourly position in which the PRS will work with clients on a hands-on, one-to-one basis. The PRS will work closely in a team setting with a Pathways Case Manager to assist the client in linking with needed and identified community services. The PRS will also provide support and encouragement to the program client as needed to ensure his or her ongoing participation and motivation in order to implement a person-centered, individualized recovery plan.
The PRS’s role on the Pathways team is a unique one. The PRS will foster a supportive, personal, and professional relationship with the client in order to inspire and motivate them to engage in services and complete program requirements that can lead to a more fulfilling, productive and less harmful lifestyle. Some examples of how this might be achieved include, but are not limited to: transporting and accompanying a client to a local AA/NA meeting, assisting the client with navigating the local DMV process in order to reinstate their driver’s license, taking a hands-on, and in-the-field role with the client to access community services and other agency benefits. The PRS will also meet with area EMT staff to intervene with the potential client and/or their family members to engage an overdose victim during the actual crisis period.
Responsibilities

• Ongoing input relevant to the client’s readiness for treatment, or Stage of Change.
• Participate in a client’s orientation session when available.
• Meet with client face-to-face as directed by the Program Manager and Case Manager.
• Assist clients by linking them to local community service providers in order to address their identified needs. This may or may not include transporting the client.
• Monitor the client throughout the SA/MH recovery process to ensure compliance with all program requirements and to help continuously assess their needs.
• Perform urine drug screens when assigned, as required, using strict specimen collection protocols.
• Participate in weekly Pathways Team Meetings, in-person or via Zoom, and provide an update on each program client assigned.
• Assist Case Manager in monitoring assigned program clients to ensure his/her engagement/participation with suggested community resources.
• Document within 48 hours all PRS contacts in Pathways records management system.
• Inform Case Manager whenever sanctions may be needed due to program noncompliance. PRSs will not notify the client of any sanctions so that the PRS can maintain a healthy, supportive, advocacy role with the client.
• Coordinate transportation for clients, as needed, and provide at least 48-hour notice to the agency transporting the client if it is not the PRS.
• Communicate via phone, email, or text messages, with Case Manager to notify him/her of any community services provider comments or feedback to ensure effective and timely collaboration and coordination of care for the client.
• Work closely with Case Manager to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
• Coordinate and provide care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and client-centered.
• Review case progress/regress regularly with Case Manager.
• Participate in the phasing up discussions of assigned clients. Assist Case Manager in the coordination of the graduation ceremony of assigned client’s who have actively completed all program requirements.
• Develop effective working relations and cooperate with other treatment providers throughout the individual’s entire recovery program process.
• Support abeyances with other agencies or providers and maintain communications in the event the resuming of services appears applicable.
• Maintain professional boundaries and apply basic ethics in ALL communications and interactions with staff, interns, community service providers, and clients.
• Attend bi-weekly (i.e., every other week) training and supervision with PRS Supervisor. This may be in the form of one-hour, individual or group supervision.
• Readily self-assess and address personal motivational and psychosocial issues; request consultation prn with PRS supervisor to maintain healthy interactions and effectiveness with clients.
• Adhere to professional standards as outlined by protocols, rules and regulations.
• Other program-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Personal, individual experience dealing with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder, or co-occurring disorder with a minimum of one-year of stability.
• Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)-Office of Recovery Services (ORS) certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) having successfully completed the 72-hour training course.
• Knowledge of typical and routine PRS duties and activities having performed these in a same or similar job, or in the course of having assisted others during their own recovery journey.
• Knowledge of case management principles, and mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience with adults who have serious mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
• The ability to incorporate additional training and supervision in the performance of his/her role as a PRS in keeping with the philosophies and principles of the Pathways Program.
• Effective communication skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work autonomously, safely with only minimal supervision.
• Problem solving skills and ability to multi-task.
• Compassionate and possesses teamwork skills.

Compensation
This is an hourly position. The person selected will be compensated at a rate of $22.00 an hour. This position does not have County benefits. A letter of interest and resume may be sent to the Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Attn: Caleb Kramer, 6 E. Johnson Street, 1st Floor, Staunton, VA 24401 or emailed to ckramer@co.augusta.va.us. This position is open until filled. Equal Opportunity Employer.