PRS IN TRAINING

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 Peer Recovery Specialist I (PRS-I) 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 PRS-I 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 PRS-I in provision of services.

Peer Recovery Specialist I (PRS-I) has completed the 72-hour Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Peer Recovery Specialist Training, a mandatory prerequisite for the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification with the Virginia Certification Board (VCB), and is working towards reaching 500 hours of training (paid or volunteer). PRS-T is a direct care position providing experience towards qualifying for Certification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and assists individuals with their vocational choices that match their own unique strengths and respects choice, as well as, assists in workplace development training/skills, and in helping individuals in 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 trained MPNN CPRS who are trained to assist peers in completion of Psychiatric Advance Directives.

• Adherence to policies and procedures.

• Abides by agency and Recovery Services 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 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 building social skills in the community that will enhance self-efficacy.

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 meet eligibility requirements for certification and registration within the first 6 months of hire.
• Experience with Intentional Peer Support and Wellness Recovery Action Planning is preferred although will train the right candidate.

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.

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