Certified Peer Counselor

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Peer Counselor is a member of the department's interdisciplinary team. Responsible for providing peer perspective on the rehabilitation process, symptom management, and the perseverance required to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform. This list of responsibilities is intended to be representative of the duties performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed if such duties relate to the position.

• Draws upon own personal recovery experience with mental health/addiction challenges as a basis for engagement with members as a peer, and to validate members' own lived experiences.
• Collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences.
• Maximize client choice, self-determination, and decision making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.
• Provides peer counseling, consultation, practical help and support, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, problem-solving, direct assistance, supervision, and side-by side support to clients, families, and team staff in support of the client's health and wellness.
• Serve as liaison with community resources; carry out rehabilitation and support functions; and assist in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support, and consultation to families, and crisis.
• Participates in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions in emergent situations and is willing and able to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe, healing environment for all.
• Travels locally to provide outreach to members served in the community.
• Ensure security and confidentiality of all program data and operate in accordance with applicable regulations of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Transports patients to behavioral health service and other recovery related activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• High School Graduation or GED
• current DOH certified peer counselor certification
• Valid Washington State driver's license and be insurable under the Nisqually Indian Tribe's insurance policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree
• one year experience working in Behavioral Health Field and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)
• Experience working with Tribes and Native Communities

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

Must have current CPR Certification and TB test. Authorize and complete a background check prior to employment. Pass pre-employment drug screen.

SUPERVISION

This position does not supervise.

COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of:

Possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

• Recovery focused, strengths based work in mental health/addiction
• Recovery and resilience, the value of partnerships with members and member choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal
• Relevant community resources and methods for accessing

Skill in:

• Working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Operation of personal computer and the use of job-related software.

Ability to:

• Understand each member's unique circumstances, personal preferences, and goals and incorporate them into daily work as well as any needed crisis response to help the member regain a sense of control.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

Must meet travel requirements and authorize and complete a background check prior to employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary responsibilities of this job.

Moderate to light physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Must be able to operate a personal computer and related office equipment necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.