Peer Support Specialist (VSP)

Position Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist serves as a member of the Prevention team of WestCare Tennessee and works to ensure the delivery of quality services to the individuals served in the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant (SSPGF). This role provides suicide prevention, awareness, and program linkage to eligible veterans and their families. The Peer Support Specialist position will have designated counties from the following ten counties: Greene, Hamblen, Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier, Knox, Morgan, Roane, Loudon, and Cumberland counties.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support program alignment with the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018)
• Serve as primary outreach liaison in designated county service area to market and bring visibility to the SSPGF program in the community, veteran service programs, military personnel and eligible veterans and their families.
• Build rapport as first initial contact with eligible veterans and/or families in 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 SSPGF Case Manager or Family Intervention specialist.
• After completing the initial intake make referral to SSPGF program Case Manager and/or Family Intervention Specialist for additional services.
• Assist eligible veterans and their families with accessing community resources, employment (job readiness, resume and job search), housing assistance, and other needed veteran services in collaboration with the Case Manager. 
• 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 SSPGF 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 SSPGF Program events with other WestCare Tennessee SSPGF staff members including Project Director, Case Manager, Family Intervention Specialist, and community partners.
• Submit weekly workplan/report on activities to Project Director and program Research Assistant on outreach outcomes.
• Work closely with Project Director, Research Assistant and WestCare Foundation Evaluation team regarding the collection of data and reporting of program outcomes.
• Input all outreach data into program tracking system.
• Attend in-person and virtual program conferences and meetings, community meetings, and events as deemed necessary.
• Submit completed trainings and professional development trainings to the program Research Assistant for tracking purposes.
• Become trained as a Certified Peer Support Specialist with the State of Tennessee.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical policies, procedures, and goals of WestCare Tennessee.

Essential Qualifications:

            Certifications/Licenses:

• Previous military experience and/or employment with 2 or more years (required).
• Valid driver’s license is required.

Education:

• 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.
• Work experience with at least 3-5 years of working in military related positions will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

Experience and Competencies:

• 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.
• Some experience with performing outreach and marketing.
• 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.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed out of office with required travel.
• In office activities will be intermittent or as scheduled by supervisor.
• Some travel will be required to training and conferences.  
• Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and proper utilization by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or promptly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision including proper eyewear at 20 inches or less and at distance.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with co-workers, managers, and the public at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions, and opinions.