Peer Support Specialist

Primary Purpose

The Peer Support Specialist position may include assisting their peers in articulating their goals for recovery, learning, and practicing new skills, helping to monitor their progress, assist in their treatment by modeling effective coping techniques and self-strategies based on the specialist's own recovery experience. Additionally, this position will assist in supporting and advocating to obtain effective services and in the services they are receiving.

Education and Experience

This individual must have demonstrated knowledge of mental illnesses, recovery, community resources, support services and referral systems. The individual selected for this position must be an individual that has been a previous consumer of mental health services as the result of emotional challenges. The candidate must have documented or previous personal and significant experience with mental illness themselves. Must demonstrate evidence of having sustained significant recovery for extended period of time.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Provide proof of current, valid Oregon Driver's License (or if out-of-state will obtain Oregon license within 30 days), comprehensive automobile insurance (if applicable) and a safe driving record (minimum of 3 yrs.) to use company or personal vehicle for required duties.

2. Successfully pass a Criminal Background Check and Medicaid Fraud Check.

3. Obtain and maintain current CPI Verbal De-escalation Certification.

4. Obtain and maintain current First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

5. Obtain a Food Handlers Card.

6. Register and maintain good standing as a Traditional Health Care Worker through the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Core Competencies

• Establish rapport by demonstrating and maintaining clear, consistent, appropriate, and therapeutic boundaries.
• Demonstrate alignment with the philosophy of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) and ability/discipline to utilize Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) communication approaches in interactions with youth and young adults, families, staff, and community partners.
• Concisely and thoroughly document daily clinical information. Provide timely accurate documentation to meet billing requirements. Must adhere to Oregon Administrator Rules (OAR) and standards of care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mental illnesses, recovery, community resources, support services and referral systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience applying principles of mental health Peer Support.
• Participate, coordinate or facilitate youth voice through a Youth Advisory Council or other venues to ensure youth/young adult voice at program/agency/community level.
• Assist with and/or participate on Youth Move Kairos when assigned.
• Participate on interviewing panels.
• Provide treatment and assist in stabilization of youth and young adults using a variety of evidence-based methods including wraparound, strengths-based, and family-centered framework.
• Demonstrate knowledge of youth and young adults' development and group dynamics by adjusting therapeutic approaches to developmental level and group interactions.
• Maintain communication avenues with essential positions regarding client needs and treatment plans.
• Provide information as needed about peer counseling, support, and consumer perspectives to new staff.
• Understand the concept of Trauma Informed Care.
• Consult with staff and treatment/wraparound teams regarding youth/young adult perspective.
• Partner with youth/young adults to cultivate goals and analyze progress toward vision and goals.
• Work with youth/young adult to ensure their voice is included in discharge planning and advocate to ensure support services and community resources are in place upon discharge.
• Assists youth and young adults in crisis/emergency planning and interventions.
• Assist youth and young adult in accessing and scheduling appointments and obligations when applicable.
• Abide by ethical codes, mission, values, and professional standards, including confidentially.
• Actively utilize, reference, and follow agency policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Present a positive attitude, professional demeanor and demonstrated respect with youth and young adults, families, staff, visitors, and community partners.
• Perform all work tasks in a proper and safe manner per established policies, procedures, and guidelines to prevent unnecessary injury, time loss and agency expense.
• Comply with all federal, state and agency health and safety reporting requirements.