Peer Specialist - Mental Health Service
Location: Seattle, Washington
Description: Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring Peer Specialist - Mental Health Service right now, this position will be delegated in Washington. More details about this position opportunity please give attention to these descriptions. Duties:
VA Puget Sound Health Care System is looking for a qualified Peer Specialist. A Peer Specialist will work as a part of an interdisc! iplinary team member, assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program, performing a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting their peers in articulating their goals for recovery, learning and practicing new skills, helping them monitor their progress, assisting them in their treatment, modeling effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on the specialistÂ's own recovery experience, and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services. Functions as a role model, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serves as a consumer advocate, provides consumer information and peer support for veterans in outpatient and inpatient settings. Participates in the service, training, consultative and other professional activities of rehabilitation treatment program and functions as a full professional member of the multidisciplinary team.! Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for an! y effective recovery based services that will aid the veteran in daily living. Orients veterans new to the programs in which they work about the services, hours, locations, staff and other pertinent information necessary for the veteran to understand the program and how to utilize it. Assists veterans to articulate their personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions; assists veteran to develop and implement a personal recovery plan.
Utilizing his/her personal recovery experience, the incumbent will:
- Teach and role model the value of every individualÂ's recovery experience.
- Assist the veteran in exploring options for obtaining decent and affordable housing of his/her choice in the most integrated, independent and least intrusive or restrictive environment, by making referrals to appropriate VA housing programs. Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
- Assist in obtaining services that suit t! he individualÂ's recovery needs;
- Inform veterans about community and mutual supports and how to use these in the recovery process. Community resources may include but are not limited to consumer-run self-help and mutual support services, social security office, Department of Family and Children Services, local YMCA, library, restaurants, veteransÂ' service organizational, apartment complexes and other types of housing, etc.
- Assist veterans in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy. This will be accomplished through regular meetings, individual or group sessions through the use of role playing/modeling techniques.
- Serve as liaison with community-based consumer-run and/or consumer-supportive organizations to develop and/or foster veteransÂ' community integration and development of natural supports and self-reliance strategies.
- Provide support of veteransÂ' vocational choices and assist them in choosing a jo! b that matches their strengths, overcoming job-related anxiety by revie! wing job applications, and providing interview tips and practice sessions.
- Assist veterans in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure using such techniques as role playing.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Description: Peer Specialist, 00065-A (GS-6), 00066-A (GS-7), 00067-A (GS-8), 00068-A (GS-9)
Relocation expenses and/or incentives have not been authorized.
Notes:
1. This is a bargaining unit position.
2. Internal VA employees will receive first consideration.
Summary
You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans!
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be adding approximately 1,600 mental health clinician! s - to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs mental health support staff who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans.
Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your country's service.
If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans .
The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is ou! r mission. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that appl! y universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect and E xcellence (" I CARE ").
America's Veterans need you!
To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/ .
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more .
Qualifications & Evaluations
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PEER SPECIALISTS, GS-102-6/7/8/9:
A. Citizenship. Citize! n of the United States.
B. Physical and Medical Requirements. The applicant must be able to perform primarily light and s edentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others.
C. Statutory Requirements . Section 405 of Public Law 110-387, as codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13), established that to be eligible to receive appointment to a Peer Specialist position, a person must:
(1) be a Veteran who has recovered or is recovering from a mental health condition; and
(2) be certified by (a) a not-for-profit entity engaged in peer specialist training as having met such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for a peer specialist position; or (b) a State as having satisfied relevant State requirements for a peer specialist position.
D. Length of Experience as a Consumer of Mental Health Recovery Serv! ices. Veterans eligible under 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13) must have spent a m! inimum of 1 year in personal recovery from a mental health condition.
NOTE: The applicable definition of a Veteran is a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR PEER SPECIALISTS, GS-102-6/7/8/9: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is progressively responsible, post-personal mental health recovery experience as a mentor providing counseling to support peers in mental health and/or addiction recovery, a recovery advocate directly involved with consumers of mental health services, a psychiatric therapy aide, or equivalent work involving in-person communication to support others in mental health recovery.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR PEER SPECIALISTS, GS-102-6/7/8/9: Graduate educati! on or a post-bachelorÂ's degree internship meets the specialized experience required for GS-6/9 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Six (6) months of graduate education or a 1-year post-bachelorÂ's degree internship meets the requirements for GS-6. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7. One and one/half years of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-8. Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-9. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE W! ILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE . If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Qualifications: Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as stated in OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions , http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-tech.asp and VA Qualification Standards, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix F3
Your résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Benefits & Other Info
VA offers a comprehensive benefits package. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered: http://www.va.gov/jobs/job_benefits/benefits.asp .
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Packa! ge (See "Required Documents" section below). The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, November 08, 2013.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application return to your member account in USAJOBS to see the status of your application, including any messages that may have been sent to you.
If you cannot apply online:
Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire ,
Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf , and
Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to (! 478)757-3144 . Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax tran! smission.. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:
Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID 973820.
Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.
More Info
Seattle
WA
2013-10-19T02:46:25.099063
353040800
Permanent
NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the United States Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards your qualifications for this position. You can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html . All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that educatio! n.
GS
65812
37246
2
VATA
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
None
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 90 or more) for this vacancy. Well qualified applicants possess experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp .
Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served! as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's ! credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Per Year
VHA-663-14-973820-P2P
The following documents are required:
Resume (required)
Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire (required)
Veterans Documentation (required)
Proof of certification (required)
Other documents - use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not ! be contacted for additional information.
1-Full-Time
0102-Social Science Aid and Technician
Active
https://ApplicationManager.gov/Login.aspx?VacancyID=973820&CheckStatus=Y
15317-Permanent
2013-10-22T02:46:44.412210
VHA-663-14-973820-P2P
You will receive e-mail notification as to whether or not you were included on the list of referred candidates. If you do not provide an e-mail address, your notification will be sent via U.S. Postal Service within 2-4 weeks. Important note: Applicants have the burden of producing all needed information prior to the closing of the announcement Friday, November 08, 2013.
15513-Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles)
- .
If you were eligible to this position, please deliver us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department of Veterans Affairs.
Interested on this position, just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This position starts available on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:33:23 GMT
Apply Peer Specialist - Mental Health Service Here