Peer Support Specialist (28241)

Description

Shift: M-F, 7 am-3 pm

JOB TITLE: Peer Specialist FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Breitung

Purpose: (General description and summary)

The purpose of the Peer Specialist is to support residents of the Breitung building which is comprised of 28 Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing [HUD-VASH] permanent supportive housing units. Residents include veterans who have experienced houselessness, mental health, and/or substance use challenges and the Peer Specialist will work to support them in obtaining and maintaining permanent supportive housing, using a variety of approaches that support the whole person.

The Peer Specialist will report to the Peer Supervisor and utilize the Breitung Program Manager for additional supervision as needed. The Peer Specialist uses a Person-Centered approach to create and work on a Peer-Assisted Wellness and Recovery Plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual receiving services, as well as to lead groups that increase independence, pro-social community integration, and recovery. The Peer Specialist uses their own recovery story when appropriate and models the principles of recovery to assist peers in gaining greater independence, wellness and self-determination. Breitung staff will provide wraparound services to residents through one-to-one peer support, outings, skill building and support groups, on-site social events, and resource-gathering to promote overall mental wellness.

Accountabilities: (Responsibilities of the job)

• Positively motivated to meet and engage with people “where they are”.
• Provides peer support to residents of the Breitung program.
• Must be able to assist in de-escalation and crisis as needed.
• Coordinates with community resources to access food, maintain housing, and support the social wellbeing of each resident
• Provides support to residents in a variety of ways including but not limited to: One-to-one peer support, skills-building and support groups, individual and group outings, on-site social events.
• Assists with intake screenings as requested by resident and monthly/quarterly surveys regarding resident satisfaction
• Attends and positively participates in required meetings.
• Ensures timely and accurate completion of all required documentation.
• Maintains a regular and reliable work schedule.
• Completes all assignments in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Documentation

• Documents all significant resident contact within 24-72 hours of service delivery.
  
  

Peer Support with Residents:

• Works with Breitung residents to identify wellness and recovery goals. Assist in creating a Wellness Plan that identifies the individual’s self-determined goals, as well as specific objectives to carry out these goals.
• Exemplifies recovery principles to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Shares own recovery story as appropriate and walks the road of recovery alongside the resident.
• Endorses multiple paths to recovery.
• Assists with screenings, move-in, move-out and activities necessary to maintain residence as requested by residents.
• Works with teams, including clinical and property management team members, to provide an integrative experience for residents that supports them holistically in goal-setting and daily living.
• Develops and facilitates peer-led groups, with input from community members.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress.
• Ensures timely completion of all required paperwork, including documentation of all resident centered interactions.
• Works to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness, and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
• Educates and advocates for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.
  
  

Crisis Prevention/De-escalation/Harm Reduction

• Provides supportive presence through regularly walking the community to ensure entrances are secure, communal areas are clean and free from clutter, address resident issues and concerns.
• Supports residents in maintaining lease requirements and remedying any violations.
• Provides support and responds by de-escalating crisis as needed.
• Utilizes best practice crisis prevention approaches to decrease use of crisis services, Project Respond, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.
• Respond to emergency situations and work in collaboration with law enforcement, emergency health care providers, and acute care settings if necessary.
• Supports harm reduction principles.
• Linkage to resources such as, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.
• Follows and adheres to policy and procedure for mandatory reporting and documentation.
  
  

Supervision Received:

• Receives regular supervision from the Peer Supervisor, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.
  
  

Other General Expectations:

• Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and establish priorities as a group.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
• Creative, innovative, and progressive problem-solver.
• Ability to remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.
• Ability to participate professionally and collaboratively in interdisciplinary meetings with outside agencies.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and ability to navigate new computer systems as needed.
• Maintain Peer Support certification (20 CEUS over a three-year period)
• Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Uphold the National Association of Peer Supporters Guidelines for Peer Specialists
• Maintain security of all PHI (Private Health Information).
• Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services, including participating in appeals process if desired.
  
  

Core Competencies: (Listing of skills, abilities, characteristics and knowledge)

• Communication: Direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others.
• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations.
• Individual Responsiveness: Responds well to internal or external individual needs.
• Dependability: Reliable, counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.
• Utilizing available resources for personal wellness: Communicates effectively with Supervisor or other designated New Narrative personnel to meet personal wellness and safety needs.
• Independence: Ability to effectively work on routine tasks, with no new or added instructions; with general instruction on new assignments.
• Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues.
• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes, procedures, or training.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups.
• Demeanor: Remaining calm in a crisis, empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills.
  
  

Qualifications:

Peer Support Certification required (PSS, PWS, or CRM)

1 year of direct support experience in the mental wellness field, particularly as PSS, PWS, CRM preferred

Lived experience with either mental health, substance use, houselessness, restrictive environments, and/or altered states required.

Lived Experience With Military Service/veteran Status Preferred

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

Incumbents with a history of substance use challenges must be in recovery and free of problems relating to active substance use for 1 full year preceding date of hire and must maintain this recovery.

Must maintain current Oregon or Washington State driver’s license as position requires the ability to drive..

All applicants must have completed peer support certification training and be registered with the state.