Summary

The Peer Support Apprentice functions as an interdisciplinary team member - assisting physicians and other professional/non-professional personnel in a rehabilitation treatment program.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/26/2026.

Basic Requirements:

• FOR PEER SUPPORT APPRENTICES - GS-102-5: 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)
• In all cases - 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
• IMPORTANT NOTICE: Veteran IMPORTANT NOTICE: Veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military - naval - air - or space service - and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
• Restricted to VETERANS - See IMPORTANT NOTICE
• Open to former competitive civil service employees eligible for reinstatement
• Veterans eligible under VRA - and 30% DAV
• Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities
• and those eligible for CTAP/ICTAP
• Length of Experience in Recovery Basic Requirement: 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
• NOTE: You MUST provide copies of your DD-214 with your application package
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: 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 must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position
• Physical Requirements and Work Environment: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• The work is primarily sedentary
• Typically - the employee sits to do the work
• There may be some walking - standing - bending - carrying of light items (such as books - papers) - and accessing transportation
• The work may require occasional use of Department of Veteran's Affairs approved behavioral management techniques with Veterans who present a danger to self or others
• Veterans demonstrate varying levels of wellness - recovery - and symptoms
• This position must be equipped to be flexible and accept that work areas are often noisy - irregular - unpredictable - and stressful
• Work is performed in a wide range of settings - including the Medical Center - group or family homes - community-based outpatient settings - community organizations - or in transport vehicles (public or government)
• For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• TIME LIMITED POSITION: This time-limited position will provide the peer support apprentice the time to learn and develop the necessary skills to perform as a peer specialist and to earn a peer specialist certification
• After successful completion of a State or VA-approved contract vendor's peer specialist certification training process - and the necessary year of specialized experience - and time-in-grade requirements - the position would be eligible for a permanent - peer specialist position
• Peer support apprentices perform a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks that include assisting Veterans in articulating their goals for recovery and personal wellness - 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 apprentice's own recovery experience - and supporting them in advocating for themselves to obtain effective services
• The position functions as a role model - exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills and serves as an advocate - provides information and peer support services for Veterans in outpatient - inpatient and/or community settings
• This individual must develop the ability to assist others in treatment - based on the principles of recovery - wellness - and resiliency - by promoting self-determination - personal responsibility - and the empowerment inherent in self-directed recovery
• By inspiring the hope that recovery and resiliency are achievable goals - the position can assist and empower Veterans - who are diagnosed with mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disorders - as well as other chronic illnesses or injuries - to achieve their personal recovery goals
• The position performs a wide range of tasks to assist Veterans in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery and wellness process
• As an entry level position - most duties are performed under close supervision by either a licensed independent provider (LIP) or a non-licensed provider who works under a LIP
• The purpose of the supervision is to facilitate learning and the development of skills
• The knowledge required for this position will be attained through ongoing instruction provided by the supervisor or designee (e.g. - the Local Recovery Coordinator)
• In addition - the position must complete a State or VA-approved contract vendor's certification training process - to be eligible to be hired as a peer specialist
• Duties include - but not limited to the following: 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Peer Support Apprentice - Community Based/PD99323S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.