Description

Please note: Must have an active Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) registry prior to consideration for Peer positions. If you are unsure if your registry is active, please visit this website (https://traditionalhealthworkerregistry.oregon.gov/Search) to confirm.

The schedule is a swing shift, Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Job Overview

The PSS or PWS will work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to implement and monitor treatment for individuals being served in an integrated healthcare environment, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care perspective. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the PSS or PWS understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. In addition, this position involves participation and implementation of goals and objectives of a Substance Use and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) grant to support integrated healthcare. This includes some collection of client information using a National Outcome Measure, and supporting outreach and engagement after avoidable emergency department visits. The PSS or PWS also will support client health promotion and prevention groups and one-one-one support, and will provide additional non-clinical activities that will promote a strengths-based, wellness-informed, client centered approach to assisting individuals being served in achieving person-driven goals. The PWS or PSS will advocate for the individual and support them to pursue their personal goals and individual wellness journey. As such, the structure and activities promote client driven goals established on the service plan.

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 a person who has lived the experience of receiving mental health services. Act as a positive role model for individuals being served, showing a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation. Share own recovery story with individuals being served when appropriate.
• Provide therapeutic interventions with individuals in the variety setting as required and directed by the mental health treatment plan or other health center objectives around implementation of integrated healthcare.
• Provide individual and/or group support for integrated health topics including, but not limited to: living skills, health and self-management of health, and support around self-care, holistic wellness, hygiene, community resources, and other life skills as directed by the plan of care and/or goals of this program.
• May facilitate one or more therapeutic groups per week.
• Administer outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participate in data collection to support grant-based requirements around integrated healthcare; participate in meetings and communications with the Health Outcomes and Population Health departments related to this responsibility.
• Support efforts around reducing avoidable emergency department (ED) visits through client outreach and engagement after a recent ED visit; collaborate with clinical team members and Population Health team to identify, track, and follow-up with clients who are visiting the ED on a more frequent basis.
• Participate in regular clinical and task supervisions. PSS will attend clinical case conferences and staff meetings as indicated to gain knowledge, communicate program goals and advocate for the needs of the individuals being served.
• Comply with and implement the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer delivered service goals and protocol.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for program participants and staff. Prevent escalation and work to prevent physical and mechanical restraint techniques, avoiding crisis situations or neutralizing crises in progress. This position will not participate in mechanical restraint or restraint training.
• Reflect positive peer values that include non-hierarchy and mutuality.
• 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. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation associated with billing, assessment, treatment, program participants progress and other activities as required.
• Provide input into the therapeutic treatment at the program in collaboration with individual being served and case manager.
• Actively support team members and other managerial and/or volunteer staff.
• Act as an advocate for individuals being served, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Represent the Peer Wellness Program at community, state, and /or national functions as indicated related to the work of the Peer Wellness Program.
• May teach clients how to navigate community resources, including but not limited to housing and mass transit.
• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers and/or program participants, staff and property. Become familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Remain awake on all shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• 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.

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:

A completed Peer Support Training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition and must be kept current and in compliance with the OARs.

Must complete a Peer Wellness Training approved by the OHA within two years of the date of employment if incumbent has not completed one.

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.

Some work experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges is preferred.

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:

The ability to commute to Cascadia sites and locations as needed. Driving is preferred; if the person is going to drive, it is required that the employee possess a valid drivers license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course.

Working Conditions

Working conditions will vary depending on program and site. Daily routines could be hectic and will likely require the incumbent to perform any or all of the sites functions and, on occasion, performing the tasks of other employees as needed. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants.

Proactive self-care is paramount and a PSS or PWS must be able to be a positive role model for self-care to clients.

Mental Demands:

The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect costs, employee morale or clients. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.

Physical Demands:

The PSS or PWS will design activities and structure which support community integration and assist program individuals in learning socially acceptable behaviors as supported by the person-driven treatment plan. These are required to proactively avoid behavioral incidents and volatile situations and to support individuals being served in achieving meaningful and personally gratifying roles within the greater community.

Employee must be pre-approved to provide transportation using agency vehicles in order to support resident access to the community. Employee must also have the ability to assist individuals being served to participate in a variety of activities, events, and excursions involving skills building and community integration.

The Peer Support Specialist must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all program participants and staff in potentially volatile situations.
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 at peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.orgThis position is represented by a labor union.