Peer Recovery Specialist II - Emergency Services & Crisis

Fairfax County • Fairfax (Ej01), VA

6d

About The Position

The Peer Recovery Specialist II works at the Wellness Circle Crisis Stabilization Unit, a 16-bed short-term residential facility serving people experiencing psychiatric crises, including people with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and developmental disabilities. Drawing on lived experience and professional training, the specialist supports individuals in stabilizing crises and developing coping skills based on their intake assessments and service plans. Services are provided individually and in groups, in coordination with the multidisciplinary Wellness Circle team, with close communication to support coordinated, person-centered care. The position is supervised and directed by a Wellness Circle Supervisor.

The role includes leading or co-facilitating recovery-focused groups, helping individuals develop and carry out self-directed recovery plans, connecting individuals and families with community resources, conducting outreach, and providing follow-up support after mental health or substance use emergencies. Work locations across the class may include outpatient and crisis programs, residential treatment programs, community settings, telehealth, and justice system settings.

The appointee must complete required background, registry, driving record, and sanction checks; undergo TB screening upon hire and annually; obtain specified certifications within required timeframes; and report for duty during inclement weather and other emergencies. A Hepatitis B vaccination is required. Duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

• High school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education.
• At least one year of Human Services experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), peer recovery certification through an IC&RC member board in 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 within one year of hire.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points, or equivalent in another state, maintained throughout employment.
• Complete MANDT training within three months.
• Complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, and sanction screening to the employer's satisfaction.
• Complete TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Report for duty during inclement weather and other emergencies as emergency/essential services personnel.
• Ability to drive a county vehicle independently; sit, walk, stand, bend, and write as needed; observe client behavior and appearance; and converse with clients and coworkers.
• Hepatitis B vaccination required.
• Knowledge of peer recovery principles, theories, and methods; local community resources; wellness and recovery terminology, theories, and best practices; and basic clinical psychological, physiological, and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices.
• Ability to relate lived experience of wellness and recovery effectively; provide individual and group peer recovery services; establish rapport; facilitate wellness, recovery, and resiliency plans; help individuals access supports and services; collaborate with behavioral health professionals; manage a caseload; communicate orally and in writing; maintain records; recognize distress and safety threats; and respond appropriately within scope of practice.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or nursing.
• One or more years of post-degree experience working with adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders in an intensive treatment group home, hospital emergency department or psychiatric unit, community-based behavioral emergency services, or crisis stabilization setting.
• Certification as a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS) by the Virginia Board of Counseling.
• Bilingual ability in English and another language.

Responsibilities

• Lead, facilitate, or co-facilitate peer support, education, and other wellness- or recovery-focused groups; prepare materials and develop curriculum.
• Assist individuals in developing and enacting self-directed recovery plans, including Medicaid-billable Recovery, Resiliency, and Wellness plans.
• Collaborate with case managers, therapists, nurses, psychiatrists, other health care providers, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Provide navigation services to individuals, families, and other concerned persons by identifying and linking them to community resources that support individual goals and interests, including crisis systems of care.
• Conduct outreach and engagement to connect people who may benefit from behavioral health services.
• Provide follow-up support after mental health or substance use emergencies, helping individuals develop skills, access resources, and receive emotional support to avoid future crises.
• Manage a caseload, maintain records, and use evaluation and survey tools.
• Recognize signs of distress and safety threats and take appropriate action within scope of practice.
• Communicate effectively with individuals served and coworkers using recovery-oriented language.

Benefits

• Foreign language skills stipend of up to $1,600 per year for qualified bilingual full-time employees.
• Reimbursement once per year for job-related licenses and/or certifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED