Have you received treatment services for substance use and are looking for an opportunity to mentor others?

Starting Pay: $18.00/hour. Additional compensation commensurate with certification and registration.

The Peer Recovery Specialist functions as a member of the team to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to have a satisfying life. Duties include:

• Collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences.
• Responsible for maximizing client choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment.
• Provides peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families and team staff; acts as a liaison with other BRBH programs and community resources; carries out rehabilitation and support functions; and assists in mental health/substance use treatment, education, support, and consultation to families, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff.
• Responsibilities of the Warm Line include answering the phone M-F (9-5), returning voicemails from afterhours calls within 24hrs, proper and accurate documentation on Warm Line tracking sheet.

Requirements:

1. Knowledge & Skills:

Peer Recovery Specialist must have, at a minimum, qualifications that are documented or observable to include knowledge of:

• Have personally experienced a substance use disorder.
• The Peer Recovery Specialist assists the other team members to understand the client's perspective and subjective experience. Is or has been a recipient of substance related disorder services, and has acquired and uses the skills for chronic disease management.
• Communication skills (oral and written), crisis intervention and basic computer usage
• Knowledge of substance related disorders, trauma-informed approaches to services, and community resources
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills, ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and ability to establish supportive trusting relationships
• Possess ability to recognize and adjust practice and services to cultural and ethnic differences.

2. Education: High school diploma or GED required.

3. Experience: Minimum of 12 months in sustained recovery from alcohol and other drugs; personal experience in working a 12-step recovery program; experience in employment or other activities that have developed good interpersonal and communication skills.

4. Licensure/Certifications: Completion of certification for Certified Peer Recovery Specialist preferred. Required to obtain this certification and register with the Board of Counseling within one year of beginning employment.

5. Safe Driving Record: This position requires driving agency vehicles and transporting clients. Unrestricted Virginia Driver's license and a good driving record, which means no more than two moving violations (speeding, etc) in the last three years and no criminal violations (DUI, reckless driving) in the last five years.

6. Background Check: Candidates who are offered a position are required to undergo a background check and drug screen. Virginia has restrictions on hiring individuals with certain convictions. Here is the list: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Attachment-2-Barrier-Crimes-01_23.pdf

Why work at BRBH?

• Time spent working with people in recovery: In this job you spend the majority of your day providing peer counseling.
• Great atmosphere: Our small team works hard to change lives.
• Work/Life Balance: We have a great Paid Time Off policy - 21 days annually, which starts accruing on your first day, plus 10 paid holidays.
• We offer great benefits, including VRS (Virginia Retirement System)! Click here for more information: http://www.brbh.org/employee-benefits/

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) is one of forty Community Services Boards established under the Code of Virginia to provide comprehensive services for individuals who have mental health disorders, developmental disability, or substance use disorders. BRBH provides multiple programs and services throughout the Roanoke Valley with over 400 employees working to provide quality care to our clients. We are proud to have served our community for over 50 years. BRBH maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. This position is located in Roanoke, VA.