Peer Support Specialist

PAY SCALE: $25.00 per hour.

FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

HOURS: Wed-Sat 7:00am- 3:00pm

This position is out in the field and in all types of weather conditions.

BENEFITS: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook

TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST Outreach Team

REPORTS TO: MHAAO BHRC Managers

DEPARTMENT: MHAAO BHRC Peer Program

Persons of color, LGBTQIA+ and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Multnomah County Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) is an innovative model that has been led by peers and centers its values in being trauma informed and equity based. The BHRC is a project of Multnomah County in collaboration with many community partners. The BHRC includes a Peer Run Day Center, 33 bed shelter with stays up to 30 days and a 19-bed bridge to housing program with stays up to 90 days for people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. The Day Center is run by Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon and currently is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

As a part of the multidisciplinary team, this PSS engages directly with people experiencing homelessness around the BHRC to facilitate connection and engagement with health and social services and other services and supports the people being served are seeking. Peers support people in taking the next step in the care continuum by talking directly with people in the field, finding out what they need, identifying programs, resources, and services that will best meet those needs, and removing barriers to accessing those programs, resources, and services. Goals include helping people experiencing homelessness access the BHRC; enter shelter; develop trusting relationships with their medical or behavioral health home; and access food and material resources.

Requirements: MHAAO Requires that candidates with lived SUD experience have a minimum of 2 years continuous recovery prior to date of hire.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Background Check: A background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy before. A candidate must successfully pass the background check before being hired. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with MHAAO.

Experience: Identifies as having lived experience of recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges). Must have 2 years of continuous addiction recovery. Experience working with adults with addiction challenges preferred. Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued. Understands the potential effects of trauma on health. Understands the principles of recovery, consumer-involvement and trauma-informed care.

Qualities:

• Possess an absolute belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow and recover.
• Value a person’s right to make their own decisions.
• Value people as the “experts” in their own lives.
• Possess insight pertaining to personal biases and worldview and how they may interfere with effectively working with individuals representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and life experiences.

Licensure/Certification: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification and MHACBO Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) certification is required but may be applied for within 3 months of hire. This position requires at least 2 years of addiction recovery.

Skills:

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support.
• Participate in the development of health and recovery goals with people. Support people to reduce barriers and achieve goals.
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions.
• Attend and participate in BHRC outreach team meetings, with the goal of identifying best practices and continuously improving the quality of outreach initiatives.
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team in the delivery of services to participants.
• Computer literacy is a vital component of this role. Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Internet programs.
• Attend staff meetings as applicable to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the individuals being served.
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service.
• Meets with peers in unsanctioned encampments and/or their temporary place of shelter/residence to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship.
• Following the direction of the individuals served, assist people in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Assists people being served with identifying and engaging various community resources and support.
• Offers people being served educational opportunities to explore new resources, information and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergent needs.
• Administers outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participates in data collection.
• Reflects MHAAO core values and stays true to the principles of peer support.
• Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations. Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables.
• As appropriate, openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health issues and is able to appropriately share own recovery journey story with individuals being served.
• Acts as a positive role model for people being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery.
• Acts as an advocate for people being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.

Employment with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon for any set period of time.

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.