Peer Support Specialist - Clackamas EVOLVE

The Peer Company (TPC)

Peer Support Specialist – EVOLVE Clackamas Job Description

Pay: $25.00 Per Hour

Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Hours and Location: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, Home Office: Recovery Campus - 8935 SE Powell Blvd Portland, OR 97266

Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in the TPC Employee Handbook

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Reports to: EVOLVE Program Manager

Department: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. The PSS is a member of interdisciplinary teams participating in collaboratively supporting an individual’s self-defined and self-directed care. The PSS supports the individual being served by creating their own person-directed recovery plan and accomplishing goals towards their self-defined recovery journey plan. They provide a listening, nonjudgmental presence and connect individuals being served with a full range of community resources.

The PSS offers addiction and/or mental health recovery peer support to individuals residing in Clackamas County as a peer who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model of living in recovery. The PSS provides community-based, holistic, person-centered, trauma-informed and strength-based support to individuals with addiction and/or co-occurring mental health challenges. Support may be provided to individuals involved in a wide variety of systems involvement including but not limited to Clackamas County Criminal Justice and/or Child Welfare System at any point from initial contact with law enforcement/child welfare to incarceration/inpatient treatment program/hospitalization, or court involvement and are working toward getting reestablished with home and community.

Qualifications

Values Alignment: The Peer Company strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices with a Social Justice lens. Our values of Voice and Choice mean we believe in the person’s right to make their own decisions and that people are the “experts” in their own lives. We have an unwavering belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow, and recover. 

Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as each employee of The Peer Company.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by The Peer Company in accordance with The Peer Company background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with The Peer Company.

Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of The Peer Company's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with The Peer Company's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.

Motor Vehicle Records Search: For positions that require driving, The Peer Company conducts a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) search in accordance with company policy, insurance requirements, and applicable state and federal laws. 

To be eligible for a driving-required position, candidates must meet the following minimum driving standards: 

• No major driving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - DUII, careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, etc.) 


• No more than 3 moving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - speeding, failing to yield, running red light, etc.) 

Experience: 

• Identifies as having at least 2 years of lived experience in recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges)


• Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued


• Understands the principles of trauma informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement, and trauma-informed care

Licensure/Certification: 

• Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hire


• Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Access to reliable personal vehicle required.

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team


• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures


• Typing and general technology skills to easily and efficiently navigate electronic systems (e.g., email, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company’s values alignment and principles of peer support 


• Collaborate with individuals to develop Person Directed Plans (PDPs), supporting their recovery journey through health and recovery planning and community integration, including pre-discharge meetings when transitioning from hospitalization


• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions


• Collaborate with other service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant PDPs and recovery journeys


• Attend meetings, as applicable, to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, and advocate for the needs of the participants being served


• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service, The Peer Company, and community partners


• Following the direction of the participants served, assist participants in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness


• Travels to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners


• Support participants in crisis by helping them to deescalate and identify next steps in their recovery journey


• Assist participants in identifying and engaging various community resources and supports


• Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations


• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables


• Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery


• Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics


• Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements


• Introduction and connection with local recovery groups and activities such as peer-led Seeking Safety, SMART Recovery, and Hearing Voices/Extreme States 


• Crisis Support with introduction and connection to the Clackamas County Mental Health Clinic (MHC) as a crisis resource


• Support with reconnecting/visiting with family/children


• Addressing basic needs of shelter/housing, food, physical wellness, and entitlements/benefits


• Supporting successful outcomes with the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) and transitioning to lower levels of care/housing


• Complete other relevant duties as assigned

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.

Employment with The Peer Company is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and The Peer Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with The Peer Company for any set period of time. 

The Peer Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at The Peer Company are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.