Peer Support Specialist- Suicide Prevention

COMPANY OVERVIEW

At Volunteers of America Chesapeake, we provide services in MD, DC, VA and the Carolina's, we are an affiliate under the Volunteers of America National Organization. As a whole, Volunteers of America is more than a non-profit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes more than 16,000 employees nationwide and more than 70,000 volunteers working together to help individuals who need our help the most. We firmly believe that our employees drive the success of the organization. With success in mind as the ultimate goal, we strive to create and provide an environment that offers challenging, stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities. Our tag line is "Helping America's most vulnerable".

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the SSG Fox SPGP Director, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will serve as a support agent for participants of the SSG Fox SPGP who are experiencing suicidal ideations and/or mental health issues. The PS will provide and advocate for effective well-being services to aid in creating a stable environment for participants with suicidal ideations and/or mental health issues. The focus is improving daily living skills and improving access to programming. The PS brings a unique asset to the service team, as the PS has firsthand and or learned experience with suicidal ideations and/or military life that allows the PS to fully empathize and relate to the life experiences of program participant and offers hope and support in overcoming obstacles. Have knowledge of the healing process, signs and symptoms of suicidal ideations and mental health issues, military life, and community resources that support independent living.

Salary: $50,000- $60,000 depending on experience

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Work one-on-one with each participant to determine strengths and needs to develop and meet self-directed wellness goals.

• Utilize tools designed by the SSG Fox SPGP and/or Veteran's Administration.

• Assist participants in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve his/her goals of self-directed wellness and stability.

• Assist participants in identifying and plugging into self-help groups, community groups, faith-based community groups to foster participant's community involvement.

• Work closely with Community Outreach Case Managers to collaborate continuity of care and place referrals to the community as needed.

• Assist participants with empowerment skills to improve coping techniques and self-help strategies.

• Consult with direct supervisor or designee regarding participant's personal needs, behavior and service planning.

• Follow appropriate critical incident protocol and accompanying documentation.

• Provide required and agreed upon support to participants.

• Maintain a comprehensive and accurate written record of events that occur during interactions.

• Manage a caseload of approximately 5-15 adults at any given time; in collaboration with the Community Outreach Case Manager.

• Responsible for linking participants as they transition through the levels of care, ensuring that the individual treatment and wellness plan is formulated and implemented.

• Maintain healthy boundaries with program participants.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle to transport oneself and/or equipment as necessary

• The physical ability to travel to assigned locations, stand, sit, stoop, bend, reach, pull, push, lift, grasp, climb, talk, see, hear and perform basic and light home maintenance activities and operate office equipment.

• Move and lift objects up to 30 pounds such as computers, monitors, files, etc.

• Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.

• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

EFFECT ON END RESULTS:

• Provides empathy and support to engage and encourage vulnerable participants

• Supports the participants access to well-being support services

• In collaboration with the Community Outreach Case Manager, support development and implementation of a long-term well-being plan including, self-advocacy, independence, sustainable housing and others resources to support the participant's ability to maintain well-being.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

• Peer Specialist certification is required but, if not available at the time of hire must be acquired within 6 months of employment with the agency.

• High School Diploma, at minimum, with at least two years in recovery from a substance use or a combination of substance use and mental health disorder Or a combination there of work-related experience; Or Associate's degree with two years of work experience

• Preferred, Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology or other Behavioral Health Sciences, and at least one year of experience.

• Ability to prepare written reports; possess data entry skills, monitor and direct program activities; and ensure the safety and security of program operations.

• Develop effective working relationships with other staff, community partners, and individuals served at the program. Strong organization skills, problem-solving skills and judgment are desired.

• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the person served population, be self-motivated and able to motivate others,

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are a must due to the extensive collaboration and networking that is required in the field.

• The ability to multitasks and handle a non-traditional work environment.

• The ability to be a self-started and work independently with limited supervision at times.

• Must have a high level of compassion and respect for persons with special needs;

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, Outlook Email, and other systems i.e. electronic time punches, electronic medical records etc.

• Ability to think independently and demonstrate good problem-solving skills

• Veteran or highly familiar with military life.

• Bilingual in any language a plus.