Description

Be a part of a dynamic team of individuals working to provide peer support and build a sense of community with individuals living independently in various locations throughout the metro area.

The Peer provider will work in the apartment complex community to build connections, create opportunity for community interaction and build natural supports among residents. To accomplish this goal the Peer will utilize their own lived experience of recovery and will identify and implement best practices related to increasing community connection and interaction, this will include delivering/facilitating peer delivered groups on site. Additionally, the Peer Providerwill work with residents individually to identify support needs including those relating to behavioral health, substance use, food, primary care, etc.

The Peer Provider will use a strengths-based, wellness-informed, client-centered approach to assisting individuals in achieving person-driven goals. The Peer Provider will provide multiple opportunities for community members to engage in both group and individual settings. As appropriate, the provider will advocate for and with the individual, and support them to pursue their personal goals and individual wellness journey

Our Peer Providers must believe wholeheartedly in the possibility of recovery for everyone and will understand, appreciate, value and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. It is expected that there is an awareness and sensitivity to the perspectives and perceptions of those we serve, as well as those of our colleagues

This position is located at Clinton Ridge Apartments . The schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Job Overview

The Peer Provider works independently and as a member of a team to provide peer support for assigned individuals (and household members as appropriate). The Peer Provider delivers support in the program, in the community, and in individual homes. The incumbent works in collaboration with the treatment/service team to provide and coordinate high quality services and supports. It is essential that the Peer Provider openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services and reflects positive peer values that include non-hierarchy, mutuality, and unconditional positive regard.

The Peer Provider 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.

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.

• Role model empowerment, self-determination, and self-advocacy; share own personal recovery journey when appropriate.
• Engage with individuals utilizing strengths-based tools and harm reduction concepts.
• Assist individuals in identifying goals for plans of care/support; coordinate with the team to assure continuity of services and resource development.
• Promote, and provide support for, community building and the development of natural support and self-sufficiency.
• Provide support for, and on behalf of, individuals in securing benefits, mental health services, addictions treatment, medical services, emergency services and housing.
• Create opportunities for individuals that involve community connections and socialization.
• Provide individual and/or group support in living skills, creation of healthful lifestyles, and support in areas such as self-care, holistic wellness, hygiene, community resources, and other life skills.
• Accompany participants, when appropriate, to appointments in the community. Include assisting participants in learning how to use public transportation system.
• Support individuals in understanding and resolving housing and community related concerns. Provide coaching and emotional support related to neighbor relationships to reduce risks of conflict and lease violations.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment/service team and/or with others related to the individual.
• Develop positive and cooperative working relationships with the treatment/service team, the landlord, or others in the participants’ lives including families and potential service providers.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Compliance

• Document and maintain documentation as required by assigned program.
• Respect and honor participant rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated by agency requirements.
• Attend seminars, training, and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.

Qualifications

Education:

Peer Support Specialist Certification required. Application for Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification completed prior to hire and obtained within 6 months.

Peer Wellness Specialist Certification preferred. Application for Traditional Health Worker (THW) certification completed prior to hire and obtained within 6 months.

Experience:

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

Some work experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges and/or working with people experiencing homelessness is preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of Assertive Engagement, recovery model, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, wellness/illness management and recovery, and strength-based case management philosophies and strategies
• Well-developed coping skills and strategies in order to deal with known and unknown circumstances.
• Ability to learn and adapt thinking when new information is provided.

• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions.
• Enter and retrieve data.
• Prepare simple reports and progress notes.

Other:

Possess a valid driver’s license, three-year driving history, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course. This position will use a company vehicle to provide participant transportation.

Core Competencies

Leadership and Decision Making:

Demonstrate interpersonal, clinical, decision-making, and time management skills.

Continuously assess and measure progress toward treatment goals

Influence, persuade or coach others into taking safe and effective courses of action when appropriate.

Make decisions with consultation, guidance, and review from other staff ass needed.

Maintains confidentiality.

Interpersonal:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Work independently as well as part of a team

Ability to be flexible in approach to time management.

Ability to apply discretion, negotiation, or persuasion skills.

Demonstrate respect and compassion when interacting with individuals in services, as well as internal and external stakeholders.

Promote safety and welfare of individuals served and foster a cohesive workplace for employees.

Demonstrate initiative and creativity in approaching problems and tasks.

Understand, appreciate, and respect diversity and cultural differences.

Represent the company effectively in a variety of settings and with diverse communities.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in the community, in clinic environments and in participants’ homes. Given time spent outdoors traveling to participants’ homes or escorting them to appointments there will be regular exposure to the elements including rain, snow, high heat etc. There is a moderate risk of personal injury/illness due to participants with violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants, etc. The Peer Wellness Specialist must have the ability to independently respond in a safe manner to potentially volatile situations, and when needed assist participants, peer staff, or other individuals in providing safety in potentially volatile situations.

Mental Demands:

The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect costs, employee morale or participants. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach. There may be a multitude of stressors, including unpredictable behaviors, explosive/violent/aggressive participants, and variable acuity levels. There will be a need for a high degree of time management, crisis response/triage, and prioritizing skills, due to fluctuating programmatic and staffing routines.

Physical Demands:

Activities and structure support community integration and assist program individuals in learning socially acceptable behaviors as supported by the person-driven treatment plan. Employees must be pre-approved to provide transportation using agency vehicles in order to support resident access to the community. Employees 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.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours pro-rated) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1^st of the month following 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with matching contribution)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Pet Insurance

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

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.

Qualifications