Veterans Peer Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

Assist the veteran to accomplish defined goals, such as setting and keeping appointments, accessing social services, assistance in connecting to other agencies and navigating the therapeutic milieu. The Veterans Peer Support Specialist provides recovery support in such a way that others can benefit from their experiences. 

SCHEDULE

The schedule will be approximately 11am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday, up to 20 hours. This schedule may vary according to business needs.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Educate veterans on elements of recovery through shared experience
• Support veterans in developing recovery-oriented goals
• Participate in VA case conferences and calls for technical assistance as needed
• Assist veterans in identifying support systems
• Connect individuals to recovery resources and community supports
• Assist veterans in accessing social services such as housing, employment, entitlement benefits
• Help individuals navigate the service system in recovery from access to continuing care
• Maintain contact with veteran which may include street outreach
• Recruit veterans from local homeless shelters using HMIS and street outreach
• Teach psychoeducation classes
• Facilitate peer support groups
• Transport veterans to appointments as needed
• Express empathy and understanding through dealings with veterans
• Teach and model healthy behaviors
• Empower choice and ownership by allowing individuals to making informed decisions pertaining to their own life
• Break down barriers to change by meeting individuals wherever they are in the recovery process
• Respond to emergency requests providing crisis intervention services as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum education requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent 
• Registered peer support specialist or ability to become RPSS
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Electronic Health Records
• Must currently have or be able to obtain a valid Driver’s License within first 45 days
• Veteran preferred