Apply on Employer Site

USAJOBS · 2 months ago

Peer Support Apprentice - Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Program

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

$41K/yr - $53K/yr

1+ years exp

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is seeking a Peer Support Apprentice to assist Veterans in their recovery journey. This role includes providing peer support, modeling coping techniques, and assisting Veterans in achieving their personal wellness goals within a rehabilitation treatment program.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

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 through immediate consultation with the supervisor or most available clinical provider

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

Qualification

Peer Support CertificationRecovery ExperienceCrisis InterventionCommunicationTeaching OthersEnglish ProficiencyProblem Solving

Required

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

You must be a Veteran (See Statutory Requirements below)

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Subject to background/security investigation

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/29/2025

As a Peer Support Apprentice hired to become a certified Peer Specialist, a Veteran must have spent a minimum of 1 year in recovery from a mental health condition (mental illness and/or substance use disorder)

Peer Support Apprentices must actively pursue becoming certified as required to serve as a Peer Specialist by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(13)(B)

At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the Peer Support Apprentice with the written requirements for becoming certified, the date by which he or she must become certified, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline

Failure to become certified by the prescribed date will result in removal from this GS-102 occupation and may result in termination of employment

Successful recovery is exemplified by one who manages symptoms of illness and pursues a healthy lifestyle; lives independently; is employed or volunteers significant time approximating at least a part-time employment schedule; has meaningful relationships with family members and friends; and is socially involved in the community through clubs, hobby groups, church, civic organizations or Veteran organizations in which the individual provides a service to others

You MUST provide copies of your DD-214 with your application package

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Problem Solving, Communication, Teaches Others

The applicant must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary 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