Supervisory Peer Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs•Tucson, AZ

33d•Hybrid

About The Position

This Supervisory Peer Specialist position will supervise a team comprised of peer specialists and may supervise Without Compensation (WOC) peer support employees to provide services, integrate processes, and meet program goals. As the supervisor of a team of at least three or more peer support providers, the position ensures that peer support services are delivered to Veterans in an effective manner and coordinated with other treatment services as part of best health care practices. This Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.

Requirements

Peer Specialist position may only be filled with a Veteran that meets statutory requirements that are detailed in the qualifications section.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership to the peer support staff team, makes difficult decisions, solves day-to-day unique operational and personnel problems, represents peer support services as a subject matter expert at internal and external meetings.
Manages individual peer support staff and team performance using various approaches such as quality reviews and in-person observations.
Provides new employee orientation to accelerate integration and productivity; trains or provides training for peer support staff on systems, appropriate peer support practice techniques, new initiatives, ethics, privacy, etc.; coaches and motivates peer support staff to advocate for the Veterans they serve.
Verifies and approves CEU credits for peer support staff and ensures peer support staff team members' competencies are maintained by coordinating and tracking training and certification status.
May approve leave and review and sign timesheets; ensures the peer support staff team follows facility specific and VHA standard operating procedures, administrative practices, and policies.
Recruits and selects new peer support staff using standardized position descriptions and interviewing techniques and formats; conducts peer support staff's mid-year and annual evaluations; effects performance improvement plans or takes additional disciplinary measures to address performance concerns when needed.
Coordinates peer support staffing coverage to ensure that peer support services are available to Veteran health care service users as part of their comprehensive treatment and wellness recovery services.
In the event the peer support staff team has concerns, feedback, or complaints, the position creates an environment where opposing views can be discussed openly and resolved appropriately.
Maintains program and administrative reference materials, project files, and relevant background documents and makes available policies, procedures, and written instructions; distributes written instructions, reference materials, and resources.
Maintains extensive knowledge of best practices, tools and resources related to peer support services.
Maintains working knowledge of treatments and services available for appropriate referrals.
Identifies training needs and assists in the development of training for peer support staff.
Participates in the service, training, consultation, and other professional activities of VA health care services and functions as a fully vested member of the multidisciplinary team.
Uses personal recovery experiences to model coping techniques and recovery tools to coach Veterans on relevant skills needed for self-management of their health condition(s) and pursuit of their personal wellness.
Observes behaviors that might indicate difficulty adapting or responding to treatment (e.g., missed assessment appointments, failure to attend or maintain abstinence, risk to self or others, disruptive behavior), completes appropriate documentation, and reports concerns to the treatment team in a timely manner.
Uses ongoing individual and group meetings to teach Veterans how to identify and combat negative self-talk and overcome fears by providing a forum that allows Veteran to share their experiences.
As necessary, handles crisis interventions for Veterans and addresses other emergent situations without the benefit of specific instructions.
Informs Veterans about VA and community supports and resources, including how to effectively utilize them in the recovery and wellness process.
Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in holistic approaches in wellness and recovery by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials.
Performs other related duties as assigned.