Veteran recovery

Peer Specialist - Errera Community Care Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System

I. Nature of Assignment/Responsibilities/Duties/Service Delivery

  • The model of a peer specialist is, “Ask a lot of questions, and get a lot of opinions.”
  • The Peer Specialist is part of and works in the mental health system as a member of the treatment team and functions in an educational role.
  • Assigned as a Peer Specialist and participates in interdisciplinary teams for treatment and is responsible for effective and efficient operation in provision of a recovery environment to other consumers with mental illness.
  • Provide Outreach services to veterans in recovery.
  • Possess the ability to engage veterans and facilitate recovery and support as a mentor.
  • Identifies with own psychiatric condition and use of the mental health system
  • Ability to talk and listen at the same time (Listening is not in the form of active listening) but display an authentic interest in people and their current situation with the support meeting or interaction with people in mental health programs.
  • Willingness to learn more about the mental health system, mental illness, recovery and daily functioning.
  • Ability to share personal struggles and dilemmas and maintain boundaries for support and resource facilitation.
  • Being attentive and sincere
  • Workable knowledge and understanding of personal trials and tribulations with solutions to help reduce the anguish of mental illness.
  • Learning knowledge of how to be a support network and NOT becoming oppositional.
  • Work closely with and functions as a member of a  treatment team who provides ongoing case management services
  • Willingly attends supervision
  • Encouraged to understand the skills and practices of the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) model

II. Reporting

The peer specialists will comply with all program guidelines, agency directives, circulars, procedures and policies, maintain records and statistics, and carry out assignments as assigned by the program directors.

III. Knowledge Required of a Peer Specialist

  • To function as a peer specialist, the incumbent must possess enthusiasm, an authentic interest and willingness to learn about PSR model of recovery,
  • Peer Specialist will work with veterans seeking mental health recovery oriented outpatient based programs in a community setting.
  • Incumbent will network and collaborate with colleagues and VA and community providers to assist in appropriate resource referral assistance and coordination.
  • Knowledge of and a willingness to work within the dynamics and processes of a community-based case management model of service delivery.
  • Knowledge of basic mental health systems and psychiatric diagnoses
  • Knowledge of community resources and the ability to assist in matching up veterans with the appropriate resource with oversight.
  • Ability to negotiate and assess crisis
  • Assist veterans in recovery find common ground and work thru personal dilemmas and conflicts
  • Facilitate a mentor role and provide supportive therapy and peer support.
  • Willingness to work as part of a community based treatment team
  • Willingness and ability to sit with someone and discuss unpleasant symptoms, memories and experiences.
  • Understanding that a consumer as employees (Peer Specialists) is a new idea and acceptance might take time.
  • Willingness to work thru problems toward solutions.
  • Willingness to find new information and learn about mental illness and mental health systems’.
  • Willingness to participate in the psychiatric rehabilitation community.
  • Able to be held accountable and show up on time to work
  • Willingness to self-disclose
  • Willingness to continue on the job consistently despite doubts and self-discouragement that often occur with mental illness
  • Provides supportive assistance
  • Performs direct support work including personal care which may be delivered individually or in groups.
  • Use own experiences with recovery as a vehicle/tool to establish rapport and relationship building with the consumer and or family members.
  • When necessary, act as an advocate for the consumer.
  • Model effective daily living skills and communication skills for consumers
  • May assist consumers and family members in times of crisis by providing information on access to resources and enabling the consumer or family member to access needed resources at such time.
  • Facilitate necessary referrals with supervisory oversight.

IV. Supervisory Controls

The peer specialists will be supervised daily by the program directors&/or his/her designee as assigned. The incumbents will be assigned their daily work assignments & will have latitude for determining their day to day work activities and decisions depending on the complexity and difficulty of the problem and or responsibility presented. Peer Specialists supervision is different than traditional supervision. The supervisor is expected to be encouraging, nurturing, and supportive. The supervisor should be familiar with the practice of PSR and function as a dual role: supervisor, job developer/ job coach. As the peer specialist is someone who has mental illness, the supervisor must have an understanding of psychiatric rehabilitation while at the same time ensuring that the person is able to perform the job as expected. Any unusual problems that develop are immediately referred to the supervisor for assistance.

V. Physical Demands

The Peer Specialists must be enthusiastic, mobile, and observant. He/she must be stable with their own mental health issues and be spiritually resilient, resourceful and capable of flexibility in the face of stressful interpersonal and group situations. Incumbent may be required to perform outreach services in the community, operate a motor vehicle for the transportation of veterans needs i.e. housing searches, financial appointments (social security etc.), and to conduct home visits. Work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity.

VI. Work Environment

The Peer Specialist will be working as a treatment team member in an outpatient community based treatment program. The work requires a combination of settings from the sedentary office, to community travel and home visits. The position requires occasional light lifting, transporting veterans by car and seeing veterans in various inpatient and outpatient settings of the hospital and community. The Peer Specialist is expected to follow safety procedures and utilize good judgment at all times.

VII. On the Job Training

Attending mental health programs is one of the best ways for a Peer Specialist to eventually work in mental health. First, people must believe in the program and its effectiveness which is evidenced by attendance and willingness to participate. The Peer Specialist is someone who has grown up and experienced the mental health system. Their personal time in the mental health system is part of the training. However, the training should be put in perspective. Not everyone’s experiences in the mental health system are favorable. The Peer Specialist must understand what they have experienced; what was positive and what was negative and work through all the issues before he/she attempts to work in the mental health system. Being on the job is in and of itself, on the job training.

VIII. Personal Contacts

Personal contacts are with VA Connecticut peers, members of the Congressional Delegation, stakeholders, consumers and other professionals within the health delivery system, and health officials of the Federal, state, non-profit, and local public health organizations. The position may negotiate and participate in cooperative studies with various Federal agencies, states, and health related organizations. Contacts are primarily with consumers, their family members, personnel within the Errera Community Care Center and VA Connecticut and with community agencies as necessary.

IX. Customer Service

Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA Missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

X. ADP Security

Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data and in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. as set out in the computer access agreement that is signed.

XI. Requirements

Must be a veteran who has been a consumer of mental health services yet who has not received treatment in any program under the umbrella of the Errera Community Care Center Firm. Must have a willingness to work as part of a community based treatment team and be willing to facilitate and mentor fellow veterans in their own recovery process. Must be willing to travel to community agencies, conduct home visits, do outreach telephone contacts and work in the mental health system to understand and continue to learn psychiatric rehabilitation skills and practices