Peer Support Specialist

WESTCARE TENNESSEE INC; Morristown (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

WestCare Tennessee Inc. seeks a Peer Support specialist to work with veterans and their families under the SSPGF grant in Morristown, TN. The role focuses on suicide prevention, outreach, and linkage to community resources.

Training to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) will be pursued through the state. The position involves coordinating weekly peer support meetings, assisting with job readiness and housing resources, and maintaining program data in VA systems and the WestCare

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills including public speaking and group facilitation/training.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and maintain confidentiality.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; degree in related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to veterans and families within the SSPGF program.
• Coordinate and attend community events to promote veteran services and suicide prevention resources.
• Maintain data in VA tracking systems and program databases.
• Assist with job readiness, housing, and other veteran services in collaboration with the Case Manager.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Public speaking

Group facilitation/training

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma

Two-year or Four-year degree in social/human services

Degree in Communications or related field preferred

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Morristown 1611 W Andrew Johnson Hwy - Morristown, TN 37814 Position Type: Full Time Education Level: High School Salary Range: $20.00 - $22.00 HourlyJob Shift: DayPosition Summary:

Position Summary

The Peer Support serves as a member of the Prevention team of WestCare Tennessee and works to ensure the delivery of quality services to their coworkers and to the individuals served in the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant (SSPGF). This role provides peer support to eligible veterans and their families in suicide prevention, awareness, and community resource linkage.

Essential Job Functions

• Support program alignment with the VA's National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018)
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Become trained as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) with the State of Tennessee.
• Serve as primary outreach liaison in counties served.
• Help bring visibility to the program within the communities of service, other veteran service programs, military personnel and their families.
• Build rapport as first initial contact with eligible veterans and/or families on the community to complete program intake and assessment process.
• Provide peer support on sustaining and maintaining trust with veterans and/or family during the initial meetings or requested times by the program Case Manager.
• After completing the initial intake make referral to the program Case Manager for additional services.
• Assist eligible veterans and their families with community resources, employment (job readiness, resume and job search), housing assistance, and other needed veteran services in collaboration with the program Case Manager.
• Facilitate weekly peer support meetings with enrolled veterans and/or their family by either in person, virtual platform or telephone.
• Schedule presentations in designated counties with community stakeholders and Veteran Services and/or Groups providing program literature and suicide prevention materials.
• Coordinate and attend scheduled community events or meetings to promote the program to initiate contact with potential eligible veterans and their families.
• Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings in coordinating the care and services for each enrolled veteran and their families.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with veteran organizations and other community agencies to receive referrals and utilize office space for meetings and group activities.
• Plan and schedule events/activities with program staff and community partners.
• Maintain all data in VA tracking systems (MITRE and Squares) and the WestCare Clinical Database System.
• Submit weekly workplan/report on activities to Project Director on peer support outcomes.
• Work closely with Project Director, Continuous Quality Improvement Assistant, Community Outreach Coordinator and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Complete professional development training from WestCare training department.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Project Director or Designee.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

Certifications/Licenses

• Previous military experience and employment required.
• Valid driver's license is required.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited two-year Community College or a four-year College/University with a degree in Communication, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, or related human services field to the position is preferred.
• Current and/or previous experience in a veteran service-related field of at least 3-5 years will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience and Competencies

• Basic knowledge of veteran services, behavioral health, social services, judicial system, law enforcement or related industry.
• Experience with case management and administering assessments preferred.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking and group facilitation/training.
• Some experience with performing outreach and marketing.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Research and evaluate data.
• Experience with using data tracking systems.
• Ability to work in different program systems in providing day-to-day operations.
• Ability to stay highly organized and maintain time management.
• Ability to utilize a computer and software that includes Microsoft 365.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office or indoor setting.
• Some outdoor activities and travel will be required.
• Some travel will be required for trainings and conferences.
• Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

Physical Demands

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and proper utilization by hand (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or promptly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision including proper eyewear at 20 inches or less and at distance.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with co-workers, managers, and the public at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.