Peer Support Specialist, EAMH #1731 in Beaverton, Oregon at LifeWorks Northwest

At LifeWorks NW, our work is rooted in a simple belief: "life works" when people receive the support they need to restore well-being. We promote a healthy community by delivering quality, culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan throughout Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah Counties. As a trusted nonprofit serving the Portland metro area, LifeWorks NW also provides prevention, substance use treatment, and related social services across multiple sites in the tri-county region-partnering with clients, staff, and communities to reduce stigma and create pathways to stability and hope. Guided by our values of Recovery & Resilience, Relationships, and Results, we're building a workplace where teams can do their best work in service of an inclusive vision: a world where stigma fades and all people can live healthy and meaningful lives.

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 at LifeWorks NW's Beaverton site.

Pay/Benefits: $23.18-$29.83 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 support treatment plan goals tailored to the specific needs of the individual receiving services.
• Uses own experiences as guided by training and also models the principles of recovery for those they work with, including gaining greater independence, emphasizing wellness and self-determination.
• Assists the person they work with to identify and utilize natural community supports to decrease dependence on the traditional mental health system.
• Works with clients to develop wellness and recovery goals towards what the client wants for their lives.
• Models wellness and recovery for the individuals they work with, sharing their own experience when beneficial to the individual.
• Works with clients on specific and obtainable goals included in the person's individual service and support plan.
• Provides support to clients who are having symptoms that could result in hospitalization.
• Connects clients to community resources to increase independent living and stability. Duties could include grovery shopping, managing healthcare appointments, 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 a medication regimen. May deliver medications, make reminder calls, and complete home visits to support compliance with medication management.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to client's treatment.
  
• May educate and advocate for the values and principles of Peer Delivered Services and the Recovery Model.
• Checks e-mail/voicemail daily/throughout the day when working, responding to contacts within 48 hours for routine matter (urgent matters may require a more immediate response).
• Completes online training courses as assigned.
• Attends peer group supervision once per month.
• Meets with peer coordinator, as requested, for peer specific support.
• Use Feedback-Informed Treatment service delivery approach to obtain and review feedback from clients regarding the fit and effectiveness of the services provided to them.

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.
• May be beneficial to have prior experience working with SPMI adults or a nursing background.
• Must be available on an on-call basis, evenings, weekends and possible nights.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations.
• Basic computer skills including keyboarding, use of mouse, ability to navigate website and use common web browser.
• 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

Drug Free/Tobacco Free Site 01/09