Peer Support Specialist

Job Details

Job Location
Portland, OR

Position Type
Full Time

Salary Range
$23.00 - $27.00 Hourly

Job Shift
Day

Job Category
Nonprofit - Social Services

Description

Purpose: (General description and summary)

The purpose of the Peer Specialist is to support residents of the Clifford building which is comprised of permanent supportive housing units for individuals exiting houselessness and/or the criminal justice system. The Peer Specialist will provide an alternative to clinical services to residents in order to increase engagement towards mental wellness. This position will be part of a larger interdisciplinary team made up of a resident services specialist, a clinician, and a case manager.

The Peer Specialist uses a Person-Centered approach to create and work on a Peer-Assisted Wellness and Recovery Plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual receiving services, as well as to lead groups that increase independence, pro-social community integration, and recovery. The Peer Specialist uses their own recovery story when appropriate and models the principles of recovery to assist peers in gaining greater independence, wellness and self-determination. The Clifford team will provide wraparound services to residents through one-to-one peer support, outings, skill building and support groups, on-site social events, and resource-gathering to promote overall mental wellness.

Shift: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm, flexibility for occasional community events

Accountabilities: (Responsibilities of the job)

• Willing to meet and engage with people "where they are"

• Provide peer support to residents of the Clifford building.

• Must be able to assist in de-escalation and crisis as needed

• Coordinate with community resources to access food, maintain housing, and support the social wellbeing of each resident

• Provide support to residents in a variety of ways including but not limited to: One-to-one peer support, skills-building and support groups, individual and group outings, on-site social events

• Assists with intake screenings as requested by resident and monthly/quarterly surveys regarding resident satisfaction

• Attend and positively participate in required meetings

• Ensure timely completion of all required documentation

• Maintain a regular work schedule

• Complete all assignments in a timely manner

• Perform other duties as assigned

Documentation

• Document all significant resident contact within 24-72 hours of service delivery.

Peer Support with Residents:

• Work with Clifford residents to identify wellness and recovery goals. Assist in creating a Wellness Plan that identifies the individual's self-determined goals, as well as specific objectives to carry out these goals.

• Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Shares own recovery story as appropriate and walks the road of recovery alongside the resident.

• Endorse multiple paths to recovery

• Assists with screenings, move-in, move-out and activities necessary to maintain residence as requested by residents

• Works with teams, including clinical and property management team members, to provide an integrative experience for resident that supports them holistically in goal-setting and daily living

• Develops and facilitates peer-led groups, with input from community members

• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress.

• Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork, including documentation of all resident centered interactions

• Work to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.

• Educate and advocate for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.

Crisis Prevention/De-escalation/Harm Reduction

• Provide supportive presence through regularly walking the community to ensure entrances are secure, communal areas are clean and free from clutter, address resident issues and concerns.

• Support residents in maintaining lease requirements and remedying any violations

• Provide support and respond by de-escalating crisis as needed

• Use best practice crisis prevention approaches to decrease use of crisis services, Project Respond, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.

• Respond to emergency situations and work in collaboration with law enforcement, emergency health care providers, and acute care settings if necessary

• Support harm reduction principles

• Linkage to resources such as, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.

• Follow policy and procedure for mandatory reporting and documentation.

Supervision Received:

• Receive regular supervision from the Clifford Site Supervisor, and Senior Program Manager of Peer Services for Peer specific and Task supervision.

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.

Other General Expectations:

• Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and establish priorities as a group.

• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.

• Creative, innovative and progressive problem-solver.

• Ability to remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.

• Ability to participate professionally and collaboratively in interdisciplinary meetings with outside agencies.

• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and ability to navigate new computer systems as needed.

• Maintain Peer Support certification (20 CEUS over a three-year period)

• Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols.

• Uphold the National Association of Peer Supporters Guidelines for Peer Specialists

• Maintain security of all PHI (Private Health Information).

• Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.

• Demonstrate unconditional positive regard at all times

• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and try new methods

• Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services, including participating in an appeals process if desired.

Core Competencies: (Listing of skills, abilities, characteristics and knowledge)

• Communication: Direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others.

• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations.

• Individual Responsiveness: Responds well to internal or external individual needs.

• Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.

• Utilizing available resources for personal wellness: Communicates with Supervisor or other designated New Narrative personnel to meet personal wellness and safety needs.

• Independence: Receives no instruction on routine work; with general instruction on new assignments.

• Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues

• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes, procedures, or training.

• Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups.

• Demeanor: Remaining calm in a crisis situation, empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills.

Qualifications:

• Peer Support Certification required (PSS, PWS, or CRM)

• 1 year of direct support experience in the mental wellness field, particularly as PSS, PWS, CRM preferred

• Lived experience with either mental health, substance use, houselessness, restrictive environments, and/or altered states required.

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

• Incumbents with a history of substance use challenges must be in recovery and free of problems relating to active substance use for 1 full year preceding date of hire and must maintain this recovery.

• Must maintain current OR or WA driver's license, personal vehicle, and personal insurance.

• All applicants must have completed peer support certification training and be registered with the state.

• Direct peer support experience in peer field preferred.