COMPANY OVERVIEW

Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas empowers self-reliance and inspires hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community. Founded in 1896 in Baltimore, MD by social reformers, Ballington and Maud Booth, we were one of the first of over 30 affiliates of Volunteers of America – one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations.  

Our founders envisioned a movement dedicated to reaching and uplifting the American people. On behalf of the organization, the Booths pledged “to go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand”. Their declaration continues to guide Volunteers of America's impact on “Helping America’s most vulnerable”.

Through a dedicated and committed team of more than 850 employees and thousands of volunteers, we provide critical care, support services and hope to thousands of people each year throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the Carolinas. We firmly believe our employees drive the success of the organization. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (DEI), we endeavor to attract, engage and retain qualified, diverse, compassionate individuals to join our journey and experience a work environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Mobile Crisis Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will serve as a recovery agent for participants of the Mobile Crisis Program individuals who are experiencing acute psychiatric crises. The PS will provide and advocate for effective recovery based services to aid in creating a stable environment for individuals with a substance abuse disorder or a dual diagnosis (substance abuse disorder and mental health). The focus is improving daily living skills and improving access to programming. The PS brings a unique asset to the treatment team as the PS has firsthand and or learned experience with recovery that allows the PS to fully empathize and relate to the life experiences of program participant and offers hope and support in overcoming obstacles. Have knowledge of the recovery process, signs and symptoms of substance abuse and mental health issues, and community resources that support independent living.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Work one-on-one with each participant to determine strengths and needs to develop and meet self-directed recovery goals 
• Utilize tools such as Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) to help participants create their own individualized recovery plan. 
• Assist participants in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve his/her goals of self-directed recovery and housing stability. 
• Assist client in identifying and plugging into self-help groups, community groups, faith based community groups to foster participant’s community involvement 
• Work closely with Mobile Crisis Clinicians to Hope Center Staff to collaborate continuity of care and place referrals to the community as needed.
• Assist participants with empowerment skills to improve coping techniques and self-help strategies
• Consult with direct supervisor or supervisor on duty regarding participant’s personal needs, behavior and service planning. 
• Follow appropriate critical incident protocol and accompanying documentation 
• Provide in-home visitation to support participants. 
• Maintain a comprehensive and accurate written record of events that occur during visitations 
• As clinically appropriate, share their own recovery story and how they tackled obstacles or challenges in their recovery journey to help normalize participant experience. 
• Manage a caseload of approximately 5-15 adults at any given time; in collaboration with the Mobile Crisis Clinician.
• Responsible for linking clients as they transition through the levels of care, ensuring that the individual treatment and recovery plan is formulated and implemented
• Maintain healthy boundaries with program participants
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EFFECT ON END RESULTS:

• Provides empathy and support to engage and encourage vulnerable clients
• Supports the clients access to recovery support services
• In collaboration with the Mobile Crisis Clinician, support development and implementation of a long-term recovery plan including, self-advocacy, independence, sustainable housing and others resources to support the clients ability to maintain recovery

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself, consumers, and program supplies as necessary.
• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities, and operate office equipment.
• Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.
• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

REQUIREMENTS

• Peer Specialist certification is required but, if not available at the time of hire must be acquired within 6 months of employment with the agency.
• High School Diploma, at minimum, with at least two years in recovery from a substance use or a combination of substance use and mental health disorder Or a combination there of work-related experience; Or Associates degree with two years of work experience
• Preferred, Bachelors degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or other Behavioral Health Sciences, and at least one year of experience.
• Ability to prepare written reports; possess data entry skills, monitor and direct program activities; and ensure the safety and security of program operations.
• Develop effective working relationships with other staff, community partners, and individuals served at the program. Strong organization skills, problem-solving skills and judgment are desired.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the person served population, be self-motivated and able to motivate others,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are a must due to the extensive collaboration and networking that is required in the field.
• The ability to multitasks and handle a non-traditional work environment.
• The ability to be a self-started and work independently with limited supervision at times.
• Must have a high level of compassion and respect for persons with special needs;
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, Outlook Email, and other systems i.e. electronic time punches, electronic medical records etc.
• Ability to think independently and demonstrate good problem-solving skills
• Bilingual in any language a plus.