Certified Peer Counselor Specialist and Advocate

You can do the work you love, be your authentic self, and make an impact in the lives of thousands. We believe in a culture rooted in community, collaboration, and growth. As an agency we are inspired by our Mission of bringing hope to life, especially those most in need.

Wage: $22.26 - $27.56

Benefits

* Medical/Dental
* FSA
* 403(b) Retirement
* Additional Voluntary Benefits
* Paid Holidays
* Vacation/Sick Leave
* Education Assistance Program
* Employee Assistance Program
* Longevity awards

Position Summary:

The Certified Peer Specialist works with the PACT team to promote a culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each clients point of view, experiences, and preferences. The Certified Peer Specialist is responsible to assist the PACT team members to stabilize the client, promote rehabilitation and provide supportive services. The position acts as a liaison with community resources, carries out rehabilitation and support functions, assists in providing education, support and consultation to families, and provides Crisis Intervention/Stabilization under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor. The Certified Peer Specialist is required to provide on-call hours as do other PACT team members.

Responsibilities:

* Provide recovery oriented peer services including
* Modeling positive recovery skills
* Social support
* Acting as a navigator connecting individuals with ancillary medical and mental health service
* Providing a safe place to discuss concerns with a non-clinical person about their mental status
* Teaching advocacy skills as part of a client centered care team to individuals enrolled in the Behavioral Health program under the supervision of Clinical Supervisor
* Provide recovery oriented skill-based peer services including providing a peer advocate perspective for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness for individuals receiving outreach services as a member of the PACT team to help individuals avoid hospitalization and remain in the community
* Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate clients experiences
* Provide guidance and encouragement to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery
* Serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment
* Help team members understand and empathize with each clients unique and subjective experience and perceptions
* Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning clients experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side-effects of medications, clients responses to and opinions of treatment, and clients experiences of recovery.
* Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
* Increase awareness of and support client participation in client self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
* Assist in providing day support services to enhance recovery.
* Provide supportive services, such as assistance securing necessary clothing and grooming supplies, wake-up calls, transportation, and other life skill areas required for employment and/or independent functioning
* Perform On-call, medication monitoring, and case management duties

Assist in providing activities of daily living services

* Assist clients to find and maintain a safe, affordable place to live, landlord negotiations, cleaning, furnishing, and procuring necessities (telephone, furniture, utilities, etc.)
* Assist and support clients to organize and perform household activities, including house cleaning and laundry
* Assist and support clients with personal hygiene and grooming tasks
* Provide nutrition education and assistance with meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation.
* Ensure that clients have adequate financial support (help to gain employment and apply for entitlements)
* Teach money-management skills (budgeting and paying bills) and assist clients in accessing financial services (professional financial counseling, emergency loan services).
* Help clients to access reliable transportation
* Obtain a drivers license and car
* Arrange for cabs
* Use public transportation
* Finding rides


* Assist with enrollment for Medicaid or a medical plan through the Health Care Exchange
* Support clients to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist, and other medical specialists as required

Assist in promoting social relationships and leisure time activities

* Provide side-by-side support, coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize in community activities
* Assist clients to plan and carry out leisure time activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays
* Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help clients structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills
* Provide peer support for community stabilization and re-entry following hospitalization

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

* High School Diploma
* College Degree is beneficial

Experience

* 2 years experience of paid or voluntary work with adults with severe and persistent mental illness

Special Skills

* Strong oral and written communication skills
* Previous recipient of mental health services and currently stable in recovery
* Must have a strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in the community
* Skill and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses
* Strong computer skills and ability to document in an electronic record
* Ability to be self-motivated, work independently and as a team member
* Ability to represent the agencies in a professional manner within the community
* Flexible hours to meet the day to day stabilization needs of consumers
* Willingness to be on-call to support team in 24/7 availability

Licensure, Registration, Certification

* Washington State Certified Peer Counselor by the Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery, or able to obtain certification within required time following employment
* Washington State Agency Affiliated Registration, required
* Valid Washington State drivers license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
* Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider

Employment is conditional upon:

* Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required