Description

The Substance Use Peer Support Specialist (Integrated Behavioral Health Team) position is a part of an interdisciplinary team operating within a primary care setting. This position will bring knowledge and lived experience of substance use, behavioral health, recovery, improved wellbeing, and mental health recovery.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a starting hourly pay range of $24.64-$27.20 depending on experience. Outside In offers an excellent benefits package, including employer-paid comprehensive medical and dental insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program; health, dependent care, and transportation flex plans; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and full vestment on day one; 18 days of paid vacation in your first year with increases every year until your sixth year; paid holidays; and an Employee Discount Program that offers employer discounts on everything from dining to cars.

Who You Are

• You have dedicated your work and career to supporting and serving underserved communities.
• Being actively anti-racist, culturally competent, and queer competent are things you view as paramount to your personal and professional lives.
• You understand the barriers that exist for folx seeking resources, support, and treatment because you have experienced what it takes to overcome the same or similar barriers.
• You understand and embrace the need for an empathetic and nuanced communication, especially during moments where a participant or client is unhappy with information being shared with them or something else that may be triggering for them.
• You can maintain your composure in a crisis and help others maintain their cool as well.
• You view collaboration as key to not only supporting underserved communities but to working with your team, teams across an organization, and community partners and collaborators for the common good.
• You are a self-starter with the ability to split your attention between projects and change gears when something comes up that needs your immediate attention.
• You are comfortable with clearly communicating the needs and expectations of programs and processes to team members and clients or program participants while making sure all parties are heard and validated.
• You do your work with a focus on harm reduction.

What you will do:

• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team that provides services to individuals who have experienced health disparities related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, housing status, and drug use related stigmas.
• Participate in outreach activities to offer services and engage participation in a non-coercive manner.
• Serve as a support for patients in Outside In Clinic and the departments within Outside In by providing assertive outreach and linkage to community resources, community education, advocacy, empowerment and leadership development, wellness planning, companionship, with mentoring, and crisis support.
• Provide support to persons currently in active drug use or have a history of drug use, by validating experiences and feelings, encouraging pursuit of community integration, celebrating participants accomplishments, and aid in accomplishing tasks and goals.
• Share lived experience in substance use and relate personal stories and experiences to inspire hope.
• Discuss personal ongoing efforts to enhance health and wellness.
• Ability to personalize peer support; understanding of own personal values, beliefs, and culture and how those may contribute to biases, assumptions, and judgements.
• Appreciate and respect the cultural and spiritual beliefs and practices of participants and their families.
• Ability to recognize and respond to complexities and the uniqueness of each participant's history or present substance use; tailor services and support to meet those unique needs.
• Provide harm reduction resources as an option, provide harm reduction education, and create linkage to syringe access, drug checking, fentanyl test strips, wound care, Narcan and Narcan training, safer consumption training, and hep C and HIV testing.
• Participate in crisis planning and crisis intervention, which may include after-hours work, providing reassurances to participants in distress, strive to create safe spaces, take action to address distress by utilizing local resources, treatment services and the method of support preferred by the peer.
• Value communication and utilize active listening.
• Coordinate access to MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) services, treatment, primary health care, and Injection Drug Users Health, Syringe Services.
• Be available to drive participants to MAT appointments, treatment centers, and primary care appointments.
• Meet in non-traditional settings such as coffee shops, parks, and other places agreed upon by both the participant and the peer support specialists.

• Document information as required by program policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations and respect others right to privacy.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• Knowledge related to navigating active substance use and houselessness.
• Principles of harm reduction.
• Exhibit an understanding of reducing harms and health consequences associated with substance use.
• Some Knowledge about Ballot Measure 110 desirable.
• Knowledge surrounding Naloxone and overdose prevention.
• Crisis prevention tools

Skills

• Ability to work with a diverse population and interact effectively with diverse types of people, but especially with PWUD (people who use drugs) or have used drugs in the past.
• Desire to advocate for underserved communities
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to support agency goals and the operational functioning of the Integrated Behavioral Health Department.
• Ability to complete all required documentation and information input in a professional, thorough, and timely manner.
• Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
• Ability to always maintain professional boundaries and performance.
• Valid drivers license.
• Ability to be insured to drive participants in agency vehicles or via car share.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are committed to having an applicant pool for this position that reflects the diversity of the people we serve, and we highly encourage Black, Indigenous and People of Color and Queer folx to apply.

Studies have shown that women and Black, Indigenous and People of Color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We know that the best candidates for this job might include individuals who havent engaged in traditional educational systems, and if this position speaks to you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Self-identification as a peer to those who have used or who are using drugs.
• Eligible to be State Certified as a Peer Specialist.
• Must pass background check through DHS

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Understanding of drug policy and drug policy current events
• Bilingual English and Spanish
• Able to advise and help navigate the criminal justice system as it relates to drug use
• One year experience working in a behavioral health treatment setting and/or providing peer support mentoring or services
• Certification as or equivalent to a Peer Support Specialsit

WORKING CONDITIONS

This job includes working in a clinical office environment as well as a variety of community locations to offer community-based services. This means that the employee will meet with participants in community locations which may include the participants home, syringe exchange, Outside In clinic, the hospital, and other surrounding community settings. The employee will occasionally be responsible for transporting participants in a vehicle provided by Outside In.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires operating phones, computers, and other office equipment. Communicating is required on a regular basis. Moving inside the building to other offices and program delivery spaces as well as moving to surrounding sites is expected. Sporadically moves boxes or items weighing up to 10 pounds.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please follow the link of the position for which you wish to apply and complete the online application. A resume and cover letter are requested. You can submit these documents in any format, but pdf works best. In your cover letter, please address the following:

• How would this position contribute to the pursuit of your long-term professional goals?
• If you were selected for this position, how would you use your skills and experience to contribute to equity, inclusion and community growth at Outside In?

Applications will be considered as they are submitted so you are encouraged to apply early. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Qualifications