COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATE B/PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, CRISIS RECIEVING - CHARLOTTESVILLE (PRN)

Region Ten CSB; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A community services board in Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a Peer Provider for the Emergency Services team. This role involves utilizing personal life experience to provide peer support to individuals in psychiatric crisis. Candidates should have a high school diploma/GED and a strong commitment to helping others in recovery. Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist within 12 months is required. Availability for evening work is essential. This is a PRN position, emphasizing teamwork and professionalism in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience in mental health or substance abuse recovery.
• Experience as the family member of a person with lived experience.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred; certification required within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support services using personal life experience.
• Collaborate with CITAC staff and community providers for consumer support.
• Work independently while adhering to established policy and ethics.

Skills

Engagement of consumers in recovery process

Communicating professionally

Crisis recognition and management

Problem-solving

Teaching mental health recovery topics

Education

High school diploma/GED

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

REQ#: 78000000

This is a FLSA non-exempt position. The incumbent serves as a CSAIII Peer Provider for the Emergency Services team, based primarily in the Crisis Intervention Team Assessment Center (CITAC) at 500 Old Lynchburg Road. The incumbent is expected to perform in accordance with applicable professional ethics, state quality assurance standards, as well as established Region Ten policies. The incumbent will have a history of similar experience with mental health crisis recovery, and is responsible for providing peer support services for these consumers, using his/her own life experience to establish a helping relationship with consumers in a psychiatric crisis that promotes respect, trust, warmth, understanding, hope and recovery as well as reducing the traumatic effect of being in crisis and in police custody. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other CITAC staff and other agency and community providers in support of consumers.

The incumbent reports to the Director III of Emergency Services and duties require proceeding alone under standard practices with referral of questionable situations to the supervisor. Standard practices allow for the independent accomplishment of recurring tasks and use of own initiative for prioritizing the work schedule. In carrying out position duties, he/she performs in accordance with applicable professional ethics and established Region Ten policies as well as those of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Qualifications

• In order to ensure the safe and efficient fulfillment of any travel on behalf of the board, a valid Virginia driver's license plus an acceptable driving record as issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles are required. For use of a personal vehicle to conduct Region Ten business, a certificate of valid personal automobile insurance must be provided.
• Must be able to perform CPR/First Aid intervention.
• Must have a high school diploma/GED.
• In addition, they will have personal, lived experience in their own mental health or substance abuse recovery or experience as the family member or loved one of a person with lived experience.
• Must have a strong commitment and desire to help others move towards recovery from the impact of a psychiatric emergency.
• Must have the skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons.
• Experience working in role of Peer Recovery Specialist and status as Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred. Becoming certified within 12 months required.

The Incumbent Must Possess The Following

• Knowledge of: characteristics of severe mental illness and mental illness with chemical abuse; the concepts and practices of recovery from illness and its impact on daily life; specific tools for fostering recovery interest and achievement, including WRAP; crisis recognition, prevention techniques, and management; procedures for preventing, diffusing and managing aggression; emergency procedures; first aid; CPR; business arithmetic; and computer skills.
• Skills in: engagement of consumers in a recovery process; communicating in a professional manner with a variety of individuals, fostering a sense of trust in others, exhibiting a calm and supportive presence when in an often hectic emergency room milieu.
• Abilities to: teach a wide variety of mental health recovery topics; lead and motivate groups; work collegially with other staff; problem-solve for self and for consumers; act positively and constructively in all interactions with service recipients and their friends and families; make sound and safe decisions as regards behavior management, health needs, emergencies; perform work assignments under little or no direct (i.e. present) supervision; analyze needs of consumers and respond appropriately.

POSITION LOCATION: Region Ten Community Services Board

500 Old Lynchburg Road

Charlottesville, VA 22903-4420

GRADE: 8

SCHEDULE: PRN, Must be available for evening work and meetings.