Peer Support Apprentice (Facility-Based)

Veterans Health Administration • San Francisco, CA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Apprentice uses personal recovery experience to support team-based, high-quality, accessible, Veteran-centric primary care. Integrated into Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), the position helps elevate Veteran perspectives, promote Whole Health and engagement in care, and support Veterans navigating the VHA continuum of care. The role is restricted to Veterans who meet statutory requirements.

This is a time-limited, entry-level position intended to provide time to learn and develop the skills needed to work as a peer specialist and earn peer specialist certification. The apprentice must complete a State- or VA-approved contract vendor’s certification training process and meet applicable experience and time-in-grade requirements to be eligible for a permanent peer specialist position. Duties are generally performed under close supervision by a licensed independent provider or a non-licensed provider working under one. Supervisors or designees provide ongoing instruction.

As an interdisciplinary team member, the apprentice assists physicians and other personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program. The role provides information and peer support to Veterans in outpatient, inpatient, and/or community settings, modeling recovery, coping, and self-help strategies; helping Veterans set recovery and wellness goals, practice skills, monitor progress, participate in treatment, and advocate for effective services; and promoting self-determination, personal responsibility, empowerment, hope, wellness, and resiliency. The work helps Veterans with mental illnesses, co-occurring disorders, chronic illnesses, or injuries pursue personal recovery goals and regain independence and mastery of their recovery and wellness.

The position is based at Fort Miley, with subsequent work locations at the Santa Rosa and Oakland Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be authorized and eligibility will be discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Must be a Veteran as defined in the announcement and meet the statutory requirements for the position.
• Must have spent at least one year in recovery from a mental health condition, including mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
• Must actively pursue peer specialist certification through a State- or VA-approved contract vendor training process and meet the certification deadline set by the supervisor.
• Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license; operating a motor vehicle is required for assigned duties.
• Must submit a copy of DD-214 with the application package.
• Must meet the announcement's eligibility restrictions and conditions, including applicable citizenship, Selective Service, background investigation, and onboarding requirements.
• Must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary work with occasional moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering personal or others' health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Participate in VA health care service, training, consultation, and other professional activities as a 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 teach Veterans to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears, including by providing a forum for sharing experiences.
• Respond to crises and other emergent situations through immediate consultation with the supervisor or the most available clinical provider.
• Maintain working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic wellness and recovery approaches through relevant reading.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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