Veteran Peer Specialist

Overview

Looking for a rewarding position? How would you like to serve those who served?

If you are looking for an opportunity to work for a great organization & make a difference, this is the job for you!

Come & join our winning team!

Benefits include Paid Vacation, Sick Time, Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision and Company matching 401K

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN ENTIRETY FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION/LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY.

Veteran Peer Specialist

This position reports directly to the Social Worker or the Program Coordinator (dependent upon which program the position is assigned). With supervision, the Peer Specialist is responsible for providing guidance and services to veterans to achieve their highest level of independence and assists in the daily implementation of day-to-day basic residential services. Peer Specialists support veterans with life skills and any recovery issues to include listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering, and connect them to resources to meet their individual needs.

This position is also responsible for coordinating and planning site-wide events with the onsite staff and Community Organizers at each site. This will aid in fostering a cohesive community through engaging activities, holiday-themed celebrations, and other ideas from the community itself.

Classification:
Non-Exempt

For Peer Specialists of all U.S.VETS Programs:

• Ensures harmonious atmosphere within program by maintaining communication with and being liaison between the clinical staff and program staff and fostering the therapeutic community environment among clients
• Establishes rapport and maintains a professional relationship and boundaries with clients and potential clients
• Coordinates individual and group services that help veterans achieve specific life and recovery goals and support success
• Responsible for preventing or de-escalating any problematic behaviors among clients, including submitting Incident Reports to the Social Worker, Veteran Service Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Lead Veterans Service Assistant concerning these events
• Assists with maintaining compliance with VA, HUD, and other funder regulations and organization protocols in requesting third-party documentation and ensuring all program documentation is collected and maintained
• Participates in case conferences, consultations, and staffing with appropriate staff
• Facilitates and/or participates in monthly Town Hall meetings
• Assists Case Managers in maintaining confidential client files in a professional and timely manner ensuring all forms are the most recently revised versions and in compliance with organization standards; all required documents are present, complete, signed by the client and staff as applicable; and documents are placed in the correct order according to organization standards
• Maintains confidentiality in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards
• Assists in quality management activities, data collection, and preparing reports
• Attends scheduled team meetings and trainings
• Maintains and submits time sheets, mileage logs, supportive service requests, and other required documentation accurately and in a timely fashion
• Responsible for addressing client issues timely to ensure non-interruption of services
• With supervision, facilitates peer-to-peer groups and life skills classes and assists with teaching daily living skills on an individual level to those with specific needs
• Assists with monitoring program rent/participant fee compliance to assist clients in prioritizing housing
• Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet client needs
• Transports clients to community medical, housing, errands, and other appointments and accompanies for peer support as needed
• Coordinates therapeutic, social/recreational activities and outings
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Program-Specific Duties:

U.S.VETS has various programs in which a Peer Specialist may be assigned to one or more, including Veteran Support to Self-Reliance, Transitional Housing, Long-Term Supportive Housing, Mental Health, and Veteran Peer Access Network programs, that have additional program-specific duties as outlined below.

• For Peer Specialists working with Veteran Support to Self-Reliance Pilot (VSSR) program:
• Provide peer counseling, referrals, and advocacy to formerly homeless veterans
• Facilitate peer groups during and after regular program hours to include cooking, arts, movie nights, and other activities as requested by veterans
• Monitor and engage tenants to respond to, assess, or report any identified issues requiring attention
• Provide non-clinical support around access to substance use and mental health services
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of progress notes using a web-based data system
• Assist Veterans challenged with collecting/ hoarding

• For Peer Specialists working with Transitional Housing (TH) programs:
• Assists with ensuring clients are accounted for daily through contact, bed check, and/or daily…