CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST-II

About Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Behavioral Health (MPNN BH)

At MPNN BH, our mission is “PROMOTING WELLBEING…. ONE INDIVIDUAL… ONE FAMILY… ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME”

Our organization provides services designed to help members of our community achieve their individual goals. MPNN BH has over 60 distinct programs to aid and support all ages and many situations.

Job Summary

The Certified Peer Recovery Specialist II (CPRS II) performs a wide variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring peer supports, in order to promote greater independence, community integration and mastery over their own recovery process from mental health, trauma and or substance use challenges. The CPRS II functions as a role model to peers, demonstrates that recovery is real-they are the evidence that people can and do overcome the internal and external challenges that confront individuals with mental health, traumatic and or substance use challenges, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills. Recovery resources of all types will be utilized by the CPRS II in provision of services.

• Peer Recovery Specialist II has 500 hours documented experience work (paid or volunteer) as a peer recovery specialist, High School Diploma/GED, successfully passed 72-hour Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training and successfully passed Virginia Certification Board's Certified Peer Recovery Specialist examination and is eligible to bill Medicaid.

Job Responsibilities

• Supports and assists individuals with their vocational choices that match their own unique strengths and respects choice as well as assist in workplace development training/skills and in helping individuals overcome job-related anxiety.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep informed of issues and progress in the recovery field.
• Coordinates and set appointments with staff trained to assist peers in completion of Psychiatric Advance Directives.
• Adherence to policies and procedures.
• Abides by agency and R-CPRS code of ethics.
• Facilitation of recovery-oriented groups in the jails, transitional recovery houses and other community settings as required, using educational tools and utilizing personal experiences with substance use and mental health challenges.
• Ability and willingness to facilitate peer recovery support groups.
• Utilization of strength-based language that reflects a mutual relationship with those they support.
• Maintains professional boundaries while simultaneously building a relationship that reflects respect and mutuality with those they support.
• Maintains accurate documentation consistent with agency guidelines, grant requirements and licensure standards.
• Attends and positively participate in required team, agency and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Facilitation of group and individual recovery education programs, plans, support groups and or classes.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections, law enforcement and other behavioral health co-workers.
• Ability to perform responsibilities/assignments with accuracy, and follow through on assignments, including the necessary documentation for R-CPRS in a timely manner.
• Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery-based services that will aid individuals in daily living.
• Possess knowledge of community and natural supports and how to utilize this knowledge in the support of individuals in building social skills in the community that will enhance self-efficacy.
• Exemplifies recovery principals by role modeling that recovery is possible and attainable.
• Shares their own recovery story as appropriate and walks the road of recovery alongside the individuals with whom they are supporting.
• Ability to work ethically and independently with confidence, as well as working as an integral part of a team of other behavioral health professionals.
• Ability to exercise compassion and care in building peer relationships based on integrity, honesty, respect, and trust.
• Ability to embrace diversity of culture exhibiting a non-judgmental acceptance of others: encouraging individuals to share gifts and strengths that come from human diversity.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and individuals with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.
• Ability to recognize and find appropriate ways to call attention to injustices about any practice within the agency that is dehumanizing, demoralizing, or degrading to individuals.
• Must be mature, sensitive, emotionally stable, flexible, and adaptable to varying situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain confidences, effective in clear and thoughtful communication.
• Other Duties, as assigned

Job Requirements

Essential

• Must pass all required Background Checks.
• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver's License with reliable transportation and driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier.
• Must obtain a TB test with satisfactory results within 30 days of employment, and yearly thereafter as required by licensing authority.
• Must be able to pass necessary background check to enable performance of direct care services
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must have successfully completed all Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training requirements for the state of Virginia at time of hir
• Has obtained current VA. CPRS certification

Education and Experience

Education:

• High School diploma or GED, some college preferred.

Experience

• Must be a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services; or a self-identified person in recovery from a substance use disorder, who meets the abstinence requirements for CPRS of at least one year.
• Experience with Intentional Peer Support and Wellness Recovery Action Planning is preferred although will train the right candidate.
• At least 1-year experience working as a Peer Support Specialist in the Behavioral Health field.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance (TLC Anthem BCBS)
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay (12 paid holidays, PTO accrued monthly)
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement plan through Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Work site qualified under NHSC, click the link to check eligibility for loan forgiveness http://www.nhsc.hrsa.gov/

The agency of MPNN Behavioral Health maintains a drug free workplace.

Benefits listed are for full time qualifying employees. EOE