Peer Support Specialist, ACT #245 at LifeWorks Northwest – Milwaukie, Oregon

At LifeWorks NW, our work strengthens the health and wellbeing of individuals and families at every stage of life. Our mission is to promote a healthy community through high-quality, culturally responsive mental health, addiction, and prevention services that create real, lasting change. Guided by our values of recovery and resilience, relationships, and results, we partner closely with clients and communities to reduce stigma and build pathways to stability and hope. If you want your work to make a meaningful difference beyond the walls of an office, we invite you to join us.

ACT is an intensive Assertive Community Treatment fidelity program

The Peer Support Specialist provides a variety of recovery-oriented services to individuals who have self-identified as desiring peer supports, to promote greater independence, community integration and recovery. Services provided by peers (people who have had the experience of mental health treatment and have training in Peer Support) include a wide variety of supports, services and advocacy that contribute to a client's ability to engage in ongoing treatment and work towards less dependence on traditional mental health treatment. These activities acknowledge the importance of involving significant others in the persons treatment that could positively impact their recovery.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Milwaukie site.

Pay/Benefits: $23.68-$30.33 per hour plus, Full benefits.

Salary Placement Notice:
The posted salary range reflects the compensation potential for this role. Most candidates will be placed between the entry level and midpoint of the range, depending on their experience and qualifications. However, more seasoned professionals with extensive exact or similar experience may be considered for placement toward the higher end of the range. Final salary offers are made in alignment with internal compensation processes in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity laws.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Uses a Person-Centered approach to create and work on a Peer-Assisted Wellness Recovery Plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual receiving services.
• Uses his/her own experiences as guided by training and also models the principles of recovery for those they work with, including gaining greater independence, emphasize wellness and self-determination.
• Assists the persons they work with to identify and utilize natural community supports to decrease dependence on the traditional mental health system.
• Work with clients to develop wellness and recovery goals towards what the client wants for their lives.
• Present a model of someone in recovery and share their own experiences as their training provided guidance.
• Work with clients on specific and obtainable goals included in the person's ISSP.
• Provides support to clients who are having symptoms that could result in hospitalization. Duties could include grocery shopping, meal preparation or just spending time with clients until they feel secure enough to be on their own
• Assists clients in accessing community resources such as food boxes, healthcare appointments and other services as appropriate.
• Assists clients in maintaining medication compliance. May deliver medications, makes reminder calls and home visits to ensure compliance.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Educate and advocate for the values and principles of Peer Delivered Services and the Recovery Model.
• Completes Service Activity Logs (S/AL's) on a timely basis.

Qualifications:

• Self-identifies as a current or former recipient of mental health services
• Holds a Peer Support Specialist certification from a State-approved training program.
• Holds a Traditional Heath Worker (THW) Number.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations.
• Familiar with developmental needs of adults.
• Basic computer skills including keyboarding, use of mouse, ability to navigate website and use common web browser.
• Transporting clients in a personal may be required.
• Requires valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, verification of safe driving record from DMV, and ability to meet LWNW driving requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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