Days Off: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Schedule: 18.75 hours per week (.5 FTE)

Shift: Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 2,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

Job Description

Crisis Solutions Center is a residential treatment facility that provides stabilization services to clients experiencing acute or ongoing behavioral health crises. Peer Specialists will work within a multi-disciplinary team and to create and implement detailed, client-centered care and safety plans; facilitate group and individual peer counseling; and ensure services are fully integrated with mental health, substance use, and primary care teams. They are an essential part of building rapport and developing positive relationships by relating to clients through their own lived experience. Peer Specialists will help develop and maintain a comprehensive list of community partners; participate in staff meetings and training; and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist participants with voicing their interests and goals through a variety of approaches including Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, WRAP and other methods that express the individual’s preferences for their recovery goals.
• Participate in planning, organizing and co-facilitating of recovery skills and educational group treatment services
• Advocate for client access to community resources and services; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Use lived/personal experience with mental health and/or substance use to build connections with program participants; utilize a trauma informed approach to assist participants in their recovery.
• Serve food, do laundry and change linens, help clean common areas, and occasionally clean up bodily fluids and biohazardous waste using appropriate PPE.
• Provide phone consultation for referents to the CSC, monitor office security cameras, answer phone calls, and other administrative duties.
• Maintain current and complete clinical and administrative records, including but not limited to goal planners, progress notes, safety and risk assessments, shift summary notes, and care-coordination between internal and/or external partners.
• Demonstrate DESC core values and professionalism in all client and staff interactions; follow agency clinical policies and procedures; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned
• Participate in verbal de-escalation in emergent situations and be willing and able to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Provide transportation for clients (such as appointments outside of CSC) when needed.
• Attend a 2-week onboarding process upon hire, as well as other full-day trainings on an ongoing basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire.
• Proof of successful completion of the Washington State Health Care Authority's Certified Peer Support Specialist Training prior to hire.
• Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
• Completion of “Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS)” training or ability to complete within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to drive an agency vehicle to conduct agency-related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Food Handler’s Permit.
• Interest in working with clients who struggle to engage and maintain in mainstream behavioral health.
• Experience working with adults living with mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Knowledge of strengths-based approaches to recovery and experience helping others develop resilience, identifying personal goals, and cultivating autonomy.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate and work effectively with consumers and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Has current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) certification from the Washington State Peer Counselor Training Program.
• One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services or like industry serving a diverse client/participant population.
• Two or more years’ experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist.
• Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.
• Familiarity with relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.
• Bilingual
• Candidates with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for long periods of time, walk when completing rounds several times a day, move quickly during de-escalations, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, and lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.