About the position
This position works within our Behavioral Health Outpatient Services - Turning Point Team. As a Peer Support Specialist and under the direct clinical and administrative supervision of the Behavioral Health Supervisor, you will use recovery-focused approaches to engage youth and young adults in the community following development of psychotic-like experiences (hearing voices, seeing things others do not see, bizarre or odd thinking). Individuals enrolled in the program may have experienced hospitalization, legal challenges, or had decline in functioning at home, school, or work. Provides peer-to-peer recovery-based psychoeducation, linkage, and referrals to supportive services in the community, supports informed decision-making, and advocates for individual choice. Utilizes lived experienced and one's own recovery journey to help engage and motivate individuals to explore avenues of change. Further supports individuals with transitions to other treatment and recovery support as appropriate. Collects data and maintains records of calls to evaluate and improve programming, works collaboratively with emergency personnel, hospital staff, treatment providers, supervisor, and team members. Possesses and shares significant knowledge of local community resources beyond residential treatment that may support individuals’ recovery and works to link individuals to those treatment supports and provides ongoing engagement with community stakeholders in the peer and recovery communities. Service provisions are based on client and program need. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home — including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to \$1600/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees. We strive to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement. Note: This position is located in the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, 8221 Williow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA.
Responsibilities
• Provides peer-to-peer recovery-based psychoeducation, linkage, and referrals to supportive services in the community, supports informed decision-making, and advocates for individual choice.
• Utilizes lived experienced and one's own recovery journey to help engage and motivate individuals to explore avenues of change.
• Further supports individuals with transitions to other treatment and recovery support as appropriate.
• Collects data and maintains records of calls to evaluate and improve programming, works collaboratively with emergency personnel, hospital staff, treatment providers, supervisor, and team members.
• Possesses and shares significant knowledge of local community resources beyond residential treatment that may support individuals’ recovery and works to link individuals to those treatment supports and provides ongoing engagement with community stakeholders in the peer and recovery communities.
• Service provisions are based on client and program need.
• Leads, facilitates, or co-facilitates peer support groups or other education or support groups with a wellness or recovery focus, including preparing materials and developing curriculum.
• Assists individuals served in developing a self-directed recovery plan, (including Medicaid billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness (RRW) plans) and enacting their plans.
• May collaborate with other service providers including Case Managers, Therapists, Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other partners.
• Service locations are varied and may include outpatient program sites, crisis programs, residential treatment programs, in the community, telehealth, and justice system settings.
• Provides navigation services for individuals, families, and other concerned persons, identifying and linking them to community resources that support the individual’s goals and interests, including navigating crisis systems of care.
• Collaborates as needed with other health care providers in providing coordinated services.
• Conducts outreach and engagement activities to connect with individuals that may benefit from behavioral health services.
• Provides follow-up support after mental health and/or substance use emergencies, assisting individuals to learn skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.
Requirements
• Graduation from high school or a GED issued by a state department of education
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to 1 year of Human Services experience.
• Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) through the Virginia Certification Board, or peer recovery certification by a member board of IC&RC through another state, or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS) through NAADAC - within six months of hire.
• Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) - within six months of hire.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment.
• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer.
• A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Requires a National Provider Identifier.
• Some evenings until 8:00 pm and occasional weekend work as necessary.
• This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)
• Ability to travel to various sites.
• Ability to observe client's symptoms, communicate complex information by phone, in writing, and in person.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
Nice-to-haves
• Current certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) or a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Experience with mental health and substance use challenges.
• Experience with documenting in an Electronic Health Record
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Bilingual in English and another language.
Benefits
• Foreign language skills stipend of up to \$1600/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.
• Extensive training and development
• Employee recognition programs
• Advancement opportunities
• Highly competitive wage and benefits package.