Peer Specialist

Quick Facts

• Role: Peer Specialist (community-based)

• Team: Interdisciplinary rehabilitation treatment team

Description

The Peer Specialist serves as a fully integrated interdisciplinary team member, assisting physicians and other professionals in a rehabilitation treatment program using personal recovery experience to support Veterans. The role focuses on helping Veterans articulate recovery goals, learn and practice new skills, monitor progress, model effective coping and self-help strategies, and advocate for accessing effective services. Peer support may be delivered in community settings such as Veterans’ homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, and through street outreach.

Responsibilities

• Participate in VA health care service training, consultation, and professional activities

• Coach Veterans in self-management skills for mental health and wellness goals using lived experience

• Observe behaviors that may indicate difficulty adapting to or responding to treatment; complete timely documentation and report concerns to the treatment team

• Use individual and group meetings to teach identification of negative self-talk and strategies to overcome fears

• Provide crisis interventions and address emergent situations when necessary

• Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources and how to effectively use them in recovery and wellness

• Maintain working knowledge of holistic wellness and recovery trends by reading relevant books, journals, and materials

• Operate a motor vehicle or use public transportation; accompany Veterans to appointments as needed

• Assist Veterans with problem-solving barriers and identifying resources so they can independently address transportation and other personal needs

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen

• Must be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition

• Must be certified as a peer specialist by an approved not-for-profit entity or by a State

• Must have at least 1 year of recovery from a mental health condition

• Provide copies of DD-214 and Peer Specialist certification

• Proficient in basic written and spoken English

• Meet GS-06 to GS-09 minimum qualifications via specialized recovery/mentor/counseling or equivalent in-person recovery support experience, or qualifying education substitution

• Selective Service registration required for eligible males

• Complete required online assessments and onboarding steps

• Subject to urinalysis screening if selected and to background/security investigation

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel

• Complete the required probationary/trial period and meet public interest certification requirements

Benefits

A comprehensive federal employee benefits package. Eligibility depends on the specific type of position held.