Mobile Peer Provider (Multnomah County Libraries)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position will be based at the Multnomah County Central Library for the purpose of providing crisis intervention services for members of the public who are experiencing mental health symptoms. There will be an expectation of travel to other libraries within the Multnomah County library system. The Project Respond Team's home base is at the Kerns Building, NE Portland. This is an on-call/per diem position for all shifts. Employees must work a minimum of 6 shifts per quarter.

Position: Mobile Peer Provider

Program: Project Respond/Multnomah County Libraries

Cascadia’s Mission and Vision

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life.

Position Description: The Mobile Peer Provider provides mobile crisis response in coordination with Crisis Team Clinicians to adults and individuals in Multnomah County. The Mobile Peer Provider 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 Provider 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 Mobile Peer Provider 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 Responsibilities

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 utilize community 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. 

Qualifications 

Education: 

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

• 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: Possess a valid driver’s license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course. This position requires the ability to drive a personal or company vehicle for the completion of work duties. 

Working Conditions 

Work is performed at the Multnomah County Central Library for the purpose of providing crisis intervention services for members of the public who are experiencing mental health symptoms. There will be an expectation of travel to other libraries within the Multnomah County library system. 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.   

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect clients, community and/or employee mental health.  The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during their assigned shift. The Mobile Peer Provider must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.  

Physical Demands: The Mobile Peer Provider must work collaboratively with partner to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergent situations.  

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654 or at peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org  

This position is represented by a labor union.

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 1st of the month following 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer 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
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

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

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

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