Peer Specialist - Women's Clinic

Veterans Health Administration • Jacksonville, NC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This Peer Specialist position is located in the Women's Clinic at the Fayetteville NC Coastal Health Care System, within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6). The position serves as a community-based peer specialist in the local VA facility catchment area and may provide services in Veterans’ homes, prisons, jails, treatment courts, shelters, tent encampments, and through street outreach. The role is part of an interdisciplinary team supporting Veterans in rehabilitation, recovery, and personal wellness. The position may be filled only by a Veteran who meets the statutory requirements for Peer Specialists, including having recovered or be recovering from a mental health condition and holding a qualifying peer specialist certification. The position requires at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be authorized; eligibility is discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position. The position may be filled at GS-06 through GS-09. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when applicable requirements are met. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The role requires operating a motor vehicle or accessing public transportation to perform duties, and accompanying Veterans to appointments when needed. Subsequent background checks may be required when treating Veterans in institutional settings.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition, including mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
• Must have at least one year of recovery from a mental health condition.
• Must be certified by a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training or by a State as meeting relevant peer specialist requirements.
• Must provide copies of DD-214 and Peer Specialist Certification with the application package.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• For GS-06 through GS-09, one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade involving post-personal mental health recovery experience supporting others in mental health and/or addiction recovery, or qualifying related experience; alternatively, directly related graduate education may substitute at the specified grade level.
• Current or former federal employees applying at a higher grade must meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement; GS-06 requires 52 weeks at GS-05, GS-07 requires 52 weeks at GS-06, GS-08 requires 52 weeks at GS-07, and GS-09 requires 52 weeks at GS-08.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel employee.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Must be able to perform assigned duties requiring operation of a motor vehicle or access to public transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate education directly related to the work may be used as a substitute for specialized experience: six months of graduate education or a one-year post-bachelor’s internship for GS-06; one year of graduate education for GS-07; one and one-half years for GS-08; or two years of graduate education or a master’s degree for GS-09.

Responsibilities

• Participate in VA health care service, training, consultation, and other professional activities as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Use personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools, and coach Veterans in skills for managing health conditions and pursuing personal wellness.
• Observe behaviors that may indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment, document observations, and report concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
• Use individual and group meetings to help Veterans identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum for sharing experiences.
• Handle crisis interventions and other emergent situations as necessary, including situations without specific instructions.
• Inform Veterans about VA and community supports and resources, including how to use them effectively in recovery and wellness.
• Maintain working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic wellness and recovery approaches through relevant reading and materials.
• Accompany Veterans to medical, housing, or other treatment-plan appointments as needed, using an agency vehicle or public transportation.
• Help Veterans identify resources and problem-solve barriers so they can independently address transportation and other personal needs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed