Peer Crisis Outreach Support Specialist

You can apply directly from this link:

https://bit.ly/PBHjobs

Department: Outreach Services
Reports to: Outreach Services Supervisor
Pay Range: $16.11 to $17.91 per hour (DOE/DOQ)
Hours per Week: 40 hours
Work Days: Monday to Friday 8-5

Job Overview: Provides outreach, crisis support, and case management service for individuals who are high utilizers of the crisis system, living with serious mental illness, and are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing. Assists in connecting PATH contacts with mental health, chemical dependency, and housing services. Assures that services are congruent with age, strengths, supports and cultural framework of the individual being served.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide outreach and engagement by name list generated from local area MCO’s, SBH-ASO’s and Crisis Stabilization centers.
• Conduct outreach to everyone from the referral list to determine which services and resources are identified as needed.
• Establish contact and build rapport with target population to ultimately engage in on-going services consistent with client’s needs.
• Plans, implements and coordinates services required to meet the health and human service needs of identified priority clients, including housing, food, clothing, access to primary health care, psychiatric services and other services as identified.
• Provides ongoing assessment of a client’s cognitive, emotional, physical, social and vocational strengths and needs.
• Assists in the development of natural support systems for clients.
• Advocates for clients with community agencies.
• Teaches skills such as problem solving, goal setting, money management, symptom management, communication, social skills, and how to access community resources.
• Completes monthly outcome reports in accordance to contract requirements
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs relevant clinical and administrative tasks according to agency policies.
• Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of the Center’s electronic medical record system.
• Participates in team meetings and program development.
• Attends Performance Improvement Meetings on a regular scheduled basis.
• Provides information and education to community members.
• Maintains high standards of professional conduct in interaction with clients, staff and other community members.
• Obtains and implement special population consultations as required.
• Maintains professional competency through a program of professional development and in-service training.
• Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing work demands.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Maintains accurate, timely chart information in compliance with RSN, State, funding source and agency quality assurance guidelines.
• Meet agency expectations for documentation of services.
• Meets all contract obligations including number of contacts and referrals.
• Coordinate and prioritize work assignments so that tasks are completed on time and in a quality manner.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Minimum High School Diploma/GED

Licensure: Valid Washington State Driver’s License with insurable driving record and eligible to be credentialed as a Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor (with agency assistance)

Experience: Must be a person who has direct, personal experience receiving services and is in recovery from a mental health condition

Additional requirements:

• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check
• Must be able to provide vaccination records for COVID, HepB, MMR, Tdap and recent flu shot'

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS / EXPERIENCE:

Experience working with homeless adults with serious, persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Ability to multitask and effectively manage a caseload of individuals with diverse needs.
• Knowledge of the classification of mental disorders contained in the current DSM.
• Ability to utilize Mini-Mental Status Examination and other measures to assess cognition and symptoms.
• Ability to educate clients about signs, symptoms, and recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
• Understanding of current knowledge on recovery.
• Knowledge of social service delivery systems, particularly as related to homeless adults.
• Knowledge of community resources, both within and outside of catchment area.
• Ability to coordinate care with multiple service providers.
• Basic knowledge of psychotropic medications and side effects.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Capability to use sound judgment in problem solving and clinical intervention.
• Practice of respectful communication with clients to enhance rapport and positive outcomes.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work and meet the Center’s performance, quality assurance and productivity standards.

NATURE & SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical effort occasionally lifting up to ten pounds.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to tolerate sitting in a vehicle, office or community setting for the required number of hours in a work day.

Cognitive Skills:

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to enter data into a computerized electronic medical record.

Working Environment:

• May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases
• Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors
• Able to visit with clients in office and community settings.

Working Demands:

• Frequent pressure due to schedule demands
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Handles emergency or crisis situations

Principal Challenges:

• Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff
• Working collaboratively with clients, family members and other community members.
• Ensuring compliance with agency and funding standard for documentation and delivery of services.
• Works with a wide variety of clients with serious, persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $17.91 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
masking, social distancing, hand sanitizers

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a valid WA driver's license and an insurable driving record?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• direct, personally receiving services for mental health: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: One location