Peer Counselor - Jail Services

Position Summary

The Peer Counselor provides peer support, outreach and coordination of services for individuals experiencing behavioral health and/or substance use challenges in our regional jail systems. The Peer Counselor provides outreach and engagement in the Chelan County and Douglas County jail systems. They utilize their own lived experience with recovery to engage individuals in services and assist them in navigating behavioral health, community systems and healthcare agencies from initial assessment up to 90 days after release.

Responsibilities

Direct Support and Client Advocacy

• Assess clients’ from the referral list to determine which services and resources are needed using a person-centered approach and then develop a plan for care
• Provide peer support and work collaboratively with regional justice providers, outpatient mental health and substance use providers, and the local crisis system of care (Services may be provided in the community, a client’s home or a program referral locations) Support may include:
• Crisis intervention services
• Assisting with applying for benefits
• Activities of daily living, psychological support, coordinating referrals, & transportation
• Accessing community resources and connecting to eligible services including housing, medical, mental health, vocational, educational, financial, etc.
• Provide support and assistance with:
• Intake and initial screening
• Family treatment services
• Medication management
• Therapeutic psychoeducation including Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), and referrals to Involuntary Treatment (ITA) or Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) services.
• Share personal experiences with recovery and service navigation, as appropriate, to build trust with clients, using active listening and compassion to support clients in their recovery journey
  

Community Coordination and Collaboration

• Establish and maintain working relationships with community resources, coordinate consumer treatment with other providers, and initiate referrals to medical providers and other community resources when appropriate.
• Provide outreach to individuals in the regional justice system, outpatient mental health or substance use disorder facilities, and all providers within the local crisis system of care; provide follow up support upon discharge to connect to longer term services
• Assess client for safety and de-escalate clients who are experiencing a crisis
• Facilitate communication between clients and service providers, and advocate on clients’ behalf as appropriate
  
  

Documentation and Supervision

• Support the completion of Quarterly outcomes reports
• Complete and maintain detailed and accurate documentation for services provided, within required timeframes.
• Report and document all services in the Electronic Medical record as well as other contractually required systems.
• Attend regular supervision meetings, team staffings, trainings, and other meetings as instructed
• Attend any community meetings asked to attend by supervisor
  
  

Qualifications

Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

Non-Physical Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
  
  

Experience

• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year
• Two years experience providing peer services preferred
  
  

Special Skills

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, and as a team member
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community
  
  

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider
• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential
  
  

Employment Is Conditional Upon

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Wage Range: $22.26-$27.56 per hour, depending on experience

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment
  
  

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.