Description

This position is based out of our Kerns Building in NE Portland. The schedule for this position is variable, four 10-hour shifts per week (no overnights). 

Job Overview

TheProject Respond Crisis Team Peer Specialist provides mobile crisis response in coordination with Crisis Team Clinicians to adults and individuals in Multnomah County. The Peer Specialist uses their training and experience to provide engagement, de-escalation, and advocacy to support individuals in regaining stability in the community. This position is part of a team and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed, strength-based, perspective and works in concert with programs in Multnomah County’s Acute Care Continuum. The Peer Specialist models wellness and recovery while offering acceptance, hope, options, opportunities, problem solving, non-directive and supportive peer services based on respect and mutuality through similar or shared lived experiences to individuals they are responding to. The employee works collaboratively with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to assure the best possible treatment for clients, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment.

Essential Duties

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.

• Openly identify as an individual who has lived experience of receiving mental health services.
• Provide immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.
• Provide support through the recovery process for individuals being served by the Crisis Team.
• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers.
• Reflect positive peer values that include non-hierarchy and mutuality.
• Act as a positive role model for individuals being served, demonstrating a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation.
• Assist and support in connecting to and developing the skills necessary to access and utilizecommunity resources, and other life skills.
• Provide culturally responsive services, particularly for African American, Latino and Native American participants (that are over-represented among homeless participants).
• Model and encourage participation in community inclusion activities.
• Coordinate services provided with other service providers including but not limited to medical providers, mental health providers, and Aging and Disability Services.
• Assess for personal safety in the environment and request additional support as appropriate.
• In certain situations, collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of clients in crises.
• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.
• Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.
• Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.
• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Represent the Peer Wellness Program at community, state, and/or national functions as related to the work of the Peer Wellness Program.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• This position must understand, appreciate and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. As such, it is expected that this position promotes integrated care, our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of inclusion, safety and acceptance.

Qualifications

Education:

PSS: Must have a completed a Peer Support training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

PWS: Must have completed a Peer Wellness training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition to the certification in order to keep current and in compliance with the OARs.

Experience:

Position requires experience as a former or current user of mental health services.

Must self-disclose as a current or former user of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with recovery.

Experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges is preferred.

Experience working with diverse populations & communities.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Operate computer hardware and software (including Electronic Health Record software) at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
• Enter and retrieve data
• Prepare simple reports and progress notes

Other:

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654 or peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org

This position is represented by a labor union.

Qualifications