Peer Support Specialist - Outpatient

Position Summary

Peer Support Specialist services include providing education, assessment, intervention, and outreach services to various components within the clinical programming, working with patients individually, intro to step-work, and education around other self-help modalities. Develops and maintains relationships with patients in the program, provides psychoeducation and aids in patient engagement and/or ATA blocks.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for groups/lectures, including:
• Alternative Self-Help meetings (Intro to NA, Dharma, Smart Recovery, etc.) at designated times as determined by Program Director.
• Meets with client within 48 hours of admission to complete a patient engagement.
• Meets with patients weekly to review individual work and self-help introductions.
• Maintains support in clinical programming with specialty groups.
• Works with patients to develop a daily routine focusing on behaviors needed for long term recovery.
• Orients the patient to the program and schedules.
• Willingly shares personal recovery experiences, demonstrates and models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Assists in patient engagement and ATA blocking.
• Meets with patients individually to provide treatment work including but not limited to step work.
• Provides support to patient's families, with patient consent.
• Participates in all staff meetings; responsible for obtaining information.
• Attends in-services and educational training as necessary and as assigned.
• Approaches patients/family members, significant others, and visitors with a respectful caring manner to convey a sense of concern and warmth.
• Engages with patients during their day-to-day, facilitating a trusting, healthy bond for further outreach and involvement in the event of relapse or outreach.
• Takes the lead on reviewing and responding to D365/Videra alerts
• Delivers care in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory manner, sensitive to patient and staff diversity.
• Seeks corrective criticism and has the ability to evaluate suggestions objectively.
• Completes daily tasks as assigned and documents the delivery of all patient services.
• Seeks out learning experiences and incorporates new knowledge into practice.
• Maintains flexibility and adaptability to expected and unexpected changes in the work environment.
• Performs other duties as required in relation to function.

Knowledge, Education, & Experience:

• Previous experience in behavioral health or substance treatment strongly preferred.
• Past experience working directly with people in a service-oriented field is beneficial.
• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Past or present consumer of mental health or substance abuse services with a history of managing one's own illness.
• Awareness of the importance of recovery in living with a mental illness or addictions problem.
• Washington State only:
• Must be a Certified Peer through the Washington State Health Care Authority
• Must apply for a WA Department of Health, Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) credential, within 30 days of hire and maintain this credential throughout employment.

Employment Status: Full time

Schedule: Tuesday- Friday 8am-4:30pm and Saturday 9am-5:30pm

Work Location: Tacoma, WA

Compensation: Pay Range: $22-24 hourly