Be part of an extraordinary team
Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare is seeking a Peer Case Manager 1 to join our new The Homeless Outreach and Stabilization Team (HOST). HOST is a multidisciplinary team focused specifically on engaging those who are actively experiencing homelessness, with substance use disorder (SUD) or co-occurring SUD and mental health conditions, and whose severity of behavioral health symptoms creates a barrier to accessing and receiving conventional behavioral health services and outreach models. We directly empower and provide hope to our clients through individualized treatment options. You will thrive in a complex and collaborative environment where you take action and ownership to solve problems and lead change. We are looking to hire those with internal drive and compassion in order to promote our company’s mission, vision, and values through outcome-based strategies, which support the principles of Recovery and Trauma-Informed Care.
Job Description
Greater Lakes Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition (HOST) program provides outreach-based treatment services to individuals with serious behavioral health challenges including substance use disorder (SUD). This multidisciplinary teams can provide SUD, medical, rehabilitative, and peer services in the field to individuals who lack consistent access to these vital services.
Peer Case Managers are individuals who have experienced mental illness themselves and are on their own recovery journey. They are well grounded in their own recovery and model competency in ongoing coping skills. They help clients identify goals that promote recovery and assist them in identifying services and activities to help reach these goals. Using a person-centered approach, Peer Case Managers assist clients to determine which services are needed such as securing funding, food, transportation, and other social services as needed. Provide peer counseling, outreach, crisis intervention assistance, stabilization assistance. All services are provided under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional.
Responsibilities
1. Serves as a “recovery coach” to clients, collaborating with the client and HOST team to develop an effective plan to meet client’s recovery goals.
2. Provides effective case management services to assure appropriate client-centered care.
3. Assures that all administrative and clinical documentation, written and online, is completed in a thorough, accurate, timely and appropriate manner.
4. Completes all State required training and assists with tracking data elements and the completion of monthly and quarterly reports as needed.
Secondary Functions

• Attend all Program and Agency mandated trainings and meetings.
• Attends and participates in all community meetings, interacting in a collaborative, professional and constructive manner.
• May perform special projects as needed.

Job Scope
The nature of this work is highly diverse with a high degree of complexity and clinical autonomy, and has the potential for serious impact from possible errors in work. This position requires active contribution to setting and adherence to general practice standards, agency standards, contracts, and WACs.
Communication / Customer Contacts
This position requires excellent verbal and written skills. Must be able to work collaboratively with agency staff, community providers, and family members of clients. Must be able to communicate well with individuals with severe and persistent mentally illness. A high degree of confidentiality is required and the maintaining of professionalism in all relationships is critical.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge and understanding of behavioral health issues including a basic understanding of substance use disorder; a thorough knowledge of community resources, with the ability to develop appropriate links for consumers; a sensitive perception of the needs of individuals with disabilities; a keen understanding of the importance of clear, professional boundaries, and maintenance of such; possession of proven teamwork skills; good written and oral communication skills; entry-level computer skills; an ability to work independently effectively and efficiently in the community; and demonstration of good, common sense. Must have a reliable automobile; possess a Washington State Driver’s License, a good driving record, and provide proof of auto insurance; and ability to drive an agency vehicle.
Education and/or Experience
Requires a high school diploma/GED and two years’ relevant experience. Prefer an AA in a social services related field. Experience working with chronically homeless individuals with mental illness preferred. Other combinations of education and experience that provide the required familiarity and skills may be considered. Must be eligible for a Washington State Department of Health Agency Affiliated Counselor. Must be or commit to becoming certified as a Peer Counselor by the State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery within one year of employment (see below).
Peer Counselor Requirements

• Self-identify as someone who is receiving or has received mental health services.
• Demonstrate having been well-grounded in mental health recovery for at least one year.
• Pass a WA State criminal background check (no recent serious convictions).
• Complete specialized training approved by the State of WA and passing a written and oral State exam. The training and exam are free.

Job Conditions
While some work is performed in an office setting, this is a very physically active position, with most of the work performed in the community, including meeting with clients in the community, libraries, in the street and in encampments. Must be able to go into client’s residences and encampments, which may require climbing stairs and walking on uneven terrain. Incumbents must be able to bend, twist, squat, reach overhead, and lift 20 pounds. Must be able to speak and hear at normal conversational levels.