What are the responsibilities and job description for the CS Therapist I - CTI Peer Support Specialist position at Prince William County Government?
Prince William County Community Services is seeking an individual to fill a new full-time Peer Ally position with our new Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Housing Team. If you are interested in working in a behavioral health care setting as part of a dynamic team, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and love helping others then you will be a perfect candidate for this position!
About This Role:
The Peer Ally provides peer counseling, support, and mentoring to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) within the state psychiatric hospital setting, jail setting, group homes, residential placements, unsheltered individuals, and those who are unstably housed or chronically homeless or are otherwise in need of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The Peer Ally provides peer support services to potential PSH participants in all the above settings before and after discharge, where applicable. The Peer Ally will proactively develop relationships with individuals identified as needing PSH. The Peer Ally serves as an advocate and assists in maximizing individual choice and decision making in the recovery process. The Peer Ally will have experience as a recipient of mental health services and has experienced stable, sustained recovery. The Peer Ally will share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and individual served. The Peer Ally role models competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills. The Peer Ally functions as a fully integrated team member to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by individuals to have a satisfying life. The Peer Ally will promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each individual point of view, experiences and preferences. The Peer Ally supports the person served to maximize individual choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of individuals, families, and team staff. The Peer Ally acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in treatment, substance use services, education, support, consultation to families, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.
What you will do in this role:
The Peer Ally will develop trusting relationships with individuals that promote self-advocacy and self-directed planning that also involves sharing recovery experiences that assist in building rapport while adhering to boundaries consistent with the Peer Ally position. The Peer Ally will outreach, engage, and support individuals in the priority populations below:
Priority population 1: Individuals in state hospitals with lack of appropriate housing being a barrier to discharge.
Priority population 2: Individuals in long-term step-down facilities (i.e. Gateway) or someone in an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) who can be discharged and lived independently.
Priority population 3: Individuals who meet the criteria for Chronic Homelessness (past 12 consecutive months of being literally homeless or 4 separate times in the last 3 years, totaling to at least 12 months) or at risk of being Chronically Homeless.
Priority population 4: Individuals unstably housed (“couch-surfing”, place-to-place) with frequent incarcerations and/or psychiatric hospitalizations.
The Peer Ally will provide education related to housing options and choices for the individual.
The Peer Ally will participate in discharge planning meetings to assist in supporting the individual in the process.
The Peer Ally will coordinate with CSB Discharge Liaisons and Supportive Housing Program Staff.
The Peer Ally will facilitate hospital-based engagement groups that model recovery as well as allow for support and encouragement to address concerns around the transition to community.
The Peer Ally will provide recovery support and peer support education to hospital and CSB staff.
The Peer Ally will implement WRAP Values for Community Housing module as an additional, structured approach to assist individuals transitioning to housing.
The Peer Ally will develop a recovery plan that assesses participant strengths and assets, in coordination with the individual and the mental health service provider.
The Peer Ally will assist the participant in developing and refining skills for daily living within the home and community (including a process for the participant to outreach to the Peer Bridger when additional supports are needed).
The Peer Ally will support skill development centered on participant-defined recovery goals and the ability support the individual to communicate a recovery plan to other professionals working with the program participant.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Attend regular group or individual supervision as required
- Must maintain effective relationships with served residents
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Requirements:
High school diploma or G.E.D. and 5 years of related experience providing services to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI).
Preferences:
Applicants who have passed the Peer Certification Exam or be eligible to sit for the exam through the Department of Recovery Services
College degree in human services fieldDemonstrate self-knowledge to manage own recovery process
Twelve (12) months of sustained recovery from SMI and SUD desired
Good oral and written communication
Basic computer skills
Experience as a recipient of mental health services
Experience working with homeless individuals
Skills to establish supportive relationships with individuals receiving services
Applicant must have passed Peer Certification Exam or be eligible to sit for the exam through the Department of Recovery Services
Valid Driver's license and copy of DMV safe driving record
Bilingual speaking candidates preferred.
Special Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver's license; Must pass DMV record check; Must pass TB test; Offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate passing a fingerprint based National Criminal History Record Check; Certification in First Aide and Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation, as required Child Protective Services Requirements: Effective 1999, mandated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services 12VA35-105-400 rules and Regulations for Licensing Providers by the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services related to Criminal Registry Checks, a search of the registry of founded complaints of child abuse and neglected maintained by the Department of Social Services.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 9:00am-5:00pm with half hour Lunch
Hiring Salary Range: $70,921.50 - $84,44.75
NOTE:The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. Click to HERE view the full class description.
Peer Recovery Specialist Certification Portal.
Hiring Salary Range:
Prince William County Community Services maintains a drug free workplace.
NOTE:
Our Benefits...
- Excellent Pay
- Paid accrued annual and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays
- 4 paid personal days
- Optional, comprehensive health care plans
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to online courses
- Virginia State Retirement
- 401a and 457 Retirement Savings Plans
- Credit Union eligibility
- Job security
- Opportunities for career growth, advancement specialization
Prince William County Government full-time positions qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Click here PSLF for additional information.
Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employee.
Salary : $70,922 - $125,015
