Peer Support Specialist (52376)

Westcare • Morristown, TN

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Prevention team of WestCare Tennessee, working to ensure the delivery of quality services to coworkers and individuals served by the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant (SSPGF). This role provides peer support to eligible veterans and their families, focusing on suicide prevention, awareness, and community resource linkage.

Requirements

• Previous military experience and employment required.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Basic knowledge of veteran services, behavioral health, social services, judicial system, law enforcement or related industry.
• Excellent communication skills including public speaking and group facilitation/training.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
• Research and evaluate data.
• Experience with using data tracking systems.
• Ability to work in different program systems in providing day-to-day operations.
• Ability to stay highly organized and maintain time management.
• Ability to utilize a computer and software that includes Microsoft 365.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited two-year Community College or a four-year College/University with a degree in Communication, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, or related human services field to the position is preferred.
• Current and/or previous experience in a veteran service-related field of at least 3-5 years will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with case management and administering assessments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support program alignment with the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018).
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.
• Become trained as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPRS) with the State of Tennessee.
• Serve as primary outreach liaison in counties served.
• Help bring visibility to the program within the communities of service, other veteran service programs, military personnel and their families.
• Build rapport as first initial contact with eligible veterans and/or families on the community to complete program intake and assessment process.
• Provide peer support on sustaining and maintaining trust with veterans and/or family during the initial meetings or requested times by the program Case Manager.
• After completing the initial intake make referral to the program Case Manager for additional services.
• Assist eligible veterans and their families with community resources, employment (job readiness, resume and job search), housing assistance, and other needed veteran services in collaboration with the program Case Manager.
• Facilitate weekly peer support meetings with enrolled veterans and/or their family by either in person, virtual platform or telephone.
• Schedule presentations in designated counties with community stakeholders and Veteran Services and/or Groups providing program literature and suicide prevention materials.
• Coordinate and attend scheduled community events or meetings to promote the program to initiate contact with potential eligible veterans and their families.
• Attend necessary monthly integrated staff team meetings in coordinating the care and services for each enrolled veteran and their families.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with veteran organizations and other community agencies to receive referrals and utilize office space for meetings and group activities.
• Plan and schedule events/activities with program staff and community partners.
• Maintain all data in VA tracking systems (MITRE and Squares) and the WestCare Clinical Database System.
• Submit weekly workplan/report on activities to Project Director on peer support outcomes.
• Work closely with Project Director, Continuous Quality Improvement Assistant, Community Outreach Coordinator and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Complete professional development training from WestCare training department.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Project Director or Designee.

What This Job Offers

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