Department: All locations
Division: Satellite Services & Vigo County Services
Supervised By: Program Manager
FLSA Status: Hourly/Relief
Effective Date: February 2013

Under Supervision, the Peer Veteran Recovery Specialist provides peer support services, services as a consumer advocate, provides consumer information and peer support for veterans in emergency, outpatient, or inpatient settings. The PVRS performs a wide range of tasks to assist consumers in regaining control over their lives and recovery process. The PVRS will model competence in recovery and coping.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Following the guidelines set by the employer, the PVRS will interact safely and effectively with Veterans to:

• Assist Veterans in articulating personal goals for recovery
• Assist Veterans in determining reasonable and holistic steps moving toward recovery
• Assist Veterans in identifying barriers to recovery goals
• Assist Veterans in identifying personal strengths in daily living and recovery skills
• Observe and reinforce positive progress that Veterans make toward recovery goals
• Teach problem-solving skills
• Teach Veterans to identify and combat negative self-talk
• Teach Veterans how to identify and overcome fears
• Support the vocational choices consumers make and assist them in overcoming job-related anxieties and conflicts
• Assist Veterans in building social skills by demonstrating and reinforcing proper conduct and respectful interaction
• Assist non- Veterans staff in identifying program elements that are supportive or destructive to recovery
• Attend treatment team meetings and medication appointments as requested to represent the needs and perspectives of the Veteran
• Utilize his/her unique recovery experience to teach and role model the value of every individual`s recovery experience.
• Maintain effective coping and self-help techniques.
• Continue to develop professional skill by maintaining certification through required coursework
• Attend relevant seminars, staff in-service trainings whenever offered
• Investigate community resources for appropriateness of services to Veterans
• Maintain confidentiality of information
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Veterans and avoid dual relationships within the community
• Support treatment team objectives and strategies
• Fulfill documentation requirements of employer accurately and in a timely manner
• Use inclusive, culturally appropriate language and attitudes with all clients and staff
• Meet job expectations as specified in the Employee Handbook.

• Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Self-identify as a veteran and former client.
• Must be maintaining healthy recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.
• Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to meet written communication requirements.
• Must be able to verify completion of state-approved training program and passing score on certification exam.

• Valid driver`s license in good standing in accordance with HCI policy.
• Maintain current American Red Cross CPR/1st Aid certification
• Maintain current crisis prevention/intervention certification

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person or by telephone. The employee must be able to travel to client locations. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach, bend, and sit.

Most of the work of the Peer Veteran Recovery Specialist is done out in the community with clients. Conditions such as safety, cleanliness and comfort vary widely.

• Completion of tuberculin screening no later than three days prior to first day of employment and annually thereafter
• Completion of a pre-employment drug screening and completion of post-employment drug or alcohol tests upon reasonable suspicion of use.
• Completion of Center-wide orientation and ALL required paperwork prior to reporting for work
• Demonstrated computer literacy through successful completion of pre-employment testing may be required.
• Completion of HCI Commitment to Quality Training
• Attendance at all mandatory staff development and training
• Successful completion of a six month on the job orientation period
• Participation in payroll electronic deposit
• Adherence to Compliance Program Plan
• Satisfactory reference and background investigation checks.
• Satisfactory completion of an Indiana Department of Child Services National Criminal fingerprinting background check, Indiana State Criminal History Check, Sex and Violent Offender Registry check, Child Protection Services History check and Local law enforcement agency/county sheriff check at the time of hire and every four years (or at contract renewal if more than one year has passed since last fingerprinting) for any employee that has direct contact on a regular and continuing basis with children supervised by DCS

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. They are meant to be accurate reflections of the principle job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.