Peer Recovery Specialist
VOA Chesapeake

JOB SUMMARY:
The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) provides support, guidance, and advocacy to individuals and families on the recovery continuum with addiction, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and family/allies of behavioral health. Utilizing their lived experience, they offer empathy, understanding, and practical assistance to aid individuals in their recovery journey. This position will afford recovery support needs and refer individuals/families to the appropriate community resources that are beyond the scope of these services.

They will work closely with the Housing and Homeless Services case management staff in the assessment of residents' needs and the development, implementation, and monitoring of the resident's individualized recovery plan. They are responsible for providing crisis intervention.

All delegated actions this employee takes will be carried out per VOAC policies, procedures, and guidelines. In addition, they must follow the MABPCB Code of Conduct & Principles and Guidelines for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Peer Support - Offer one-on-one or group peer support to individuals in recovery, sharing personal experiences and insights to inspire hope and promote resilience.
• Advocacy - Advocate for individuals in recovery within healthcare systems, social service agencies, and other community organizations to ensure access to appropriate services and resources.
• Resource Referral - Connect individuals with community resources such as housing, employment assistance, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment programs.
• Crisis Intervention - Provide immediate support during crises, offering empathy, encouragement, and guidance to help individuals navigate challenges without relapsing.
• Education and Training - Conduct educational workshops and training sessions for individuals in recovery, their families, and community members to increase awareness and understanding of addiction, recovery, and available resources.
• Documentation and Reporting - Maintain accurate records of interactions with individuals, documenting progress, challenges, and goals per organizational policies and procedures.
• Self-Care and Professional Development - Engage in regular supervision, participate in peer support networks, and pursue ongoing training and education to enhance personal and professional growth.

EFFECT ON END RESULT:

• Support services will be provided that address the resident's needs.
• A safe and secure environment will be maintained for residents and staff.
• Residents will participate more independently in activities of community life.
• Resident socialization and life skills will be enhanced, which will aid residents in reaching a more realistic degree of self-sufficiency.
• Residents will move into less restrictive settings.
• Resident files and information systems will be maintained which are per VOAC, facility, and regulatory guidelines.
• Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. policies and procedures will be implemented and programmatic requirements will be met.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education - Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
  
• Experience - One year of experience providing peer recovery support services. The candidate must self-identify as a person in long-term recovery from the effects of a behavioral health disorder (i.e. mental health and/or substance use disorder) for two years or more.
  
• Certification - Must possess a current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist from the Maryland Addictions Professional Certification Board (MAPCB)
  
• Communication Skills - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, establish trust, and maintain boundaries with individuals in recovery.
  
• Empathy and Compassion - Demonstrated empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental attitude towards individuals struggling with addiction.
  
• Teamwork - Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, social workers, and community advocates.
  
• Organizational Skills - Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
  
• Ethical Conduct - Adherence to ethical standards and confidentiality guidelines, respecting the privacy and autonomy of individuals in recovery.
  
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland with applicable vehicle liability coverage.
  

Other

• May be required to drive an agency vehicle
• Acceptable EBI background, FBI Fingerprint (if applicable), Child Protective Services (if applicable), OIG Exclusion check.
• Negative Drug/TB Screening.
• CPR/First Aid Certification must be acquired and maintained once employed.

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