Job Details
Job Location
Gresham, OR
Position Type
Full Time
Salary Range
$22.00 Hourly
Job Shift
Day
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
Description
$1,500 Sign-On Bonus
New Narrative provides a full continuum of mental health services for individuals in the greater Portland community. We meet each participant individually, working closely and collaboratively to shape personalized plans. Our programs include outpatient and residential mental health treatment, transitional and permanent housing, peer-to-peer support programs, wellness services, and more – all tailored to the participants’ unique mental health wellness goals.
The Peer Specialist at Alta House provides a variety of person centered, recovery-oriented services to residents of a .370 Aid and Assist 5-bed licensed mental health residential treatment home. Services provided by peers include a wide range of support and advocacy that contribute to a participant’s ability to curate and engage in their own wellness. This home is focused on the primary treatment goals for patients under a .370 order: to stabilize and achieve a level of capacity so they can understand their rights and responsibilities, work with attorneys, and participate in their own defense.
This .370 population of New Narrative residents have been accused of a crime and are “not able” to participate in their trial because of the severity of their mental health symptoms. In these cases, the court may issue a referral or require mental health treatment – so they can become well enough to “aid and assist” in their own defense. Most of these residents are being transferred from Oregon State Hospital or directly from jail.
The Peer Specialist will also work with another 12-bed residential treatment facility that is focused on home and community-based services continuum of care.
The Peer Specialist will provide individual services and lead groups that increase independence, pro-social community integration, coping skills, and recovery. Peer support is strengths-based, trauma informed, and recovery oriented, which focuses on residents identifying and developing their personal strong suits and aptitudes to foster wellness and autonomy.
This role will be an integral part of our developing cohort of Team Based Care, which will encompass peer support, clinical case management, and residential services collectively responsible for aiding the best results for the residents’ individual wants and needs.
The role of Peer Support Specialist is guided by our goal:
“We envision a world where lived experiences are valued and integrated – creating meaningful change and opening paths to purpose, connection, and community.”
As a team, our vision is:
“Team Based Care is intentional Collaboration to center resident experiences through the seamless delivery of holistic services, creating a confident and empowered community where members are engaged and excited.”
More information on Aid and Assist Programs of Oregon:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Documents/Aid-and-Assist-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Accountabilities:
- Work collectively with a team and contribute from a peer support perspective – providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed services and incorporating best practice techniques into the program.
- Work to increase the level of cultural sensitivity, awareness, and competency regarding Person-Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
- Exude and model New Narrative values and mission in all interactions.Support Program Manager in delivering programming in alignment with the Peer Services Vision and Strategy.
- Uphold the National Association of Peer Supporters Guidelines for s and Supervisors, Intentional Peer Support, and the 12 Core Competencies of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) throughout programming.
- Offer consistency and support in the day-to-day operations of the program.
- Model professional standards around de-escalation of crisis and resident engagement.
- Provide milieu support, modeling person-centered social engagement with residents.
- Attend and participate in weekly meetings for staff cohesion and consultation in collaboration with Team Based Care.
- Support cohesive and seamless resident experience.
- Ensure all documentation is completed within 24-72 hours depending on urgency in electronic health record.
- Build and maintain effective community partner relationships, including referral partner relationships, to support mutual access and awareness of area services and what New Narrative offers.
- Regularly seek feedback from participants. Adjust programming in consultation with Program Manager and team as needed.
- Provide mutual communication with team and address issues of quality care and/or utilization of services.
- Be on time and consistent, maintaining a regular work schedule.
- Develop and facilitate peer-led groups as outlined in the individual service and support plan.
- Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress.
- Complete all other assignments promptly as requested by supervisor.
Peer Support with Residents:
- Provide direct support to residents as well as coaching/oversight to staff for consistency across the team.
- Work with 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 and assist staff in development of these plans.
- Model assertive engagement strategies and provide consultation to staff around different approaches for different residents.
- Exemplify recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share your own recovery story as appropriate and walk the road of recovery alongside the resident.
- Assist with screenings, move-in, move-out and activities as necessary.
- Support with finding housing and resources in a fast-paced environment.
- Work with teams, including clinical and residential team members, to provide an integrative experience for residents that supports them holistically in goal-setting and daily living.
- Develop and facilitate peer-led groups, with input from community members.
- Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress – the essence of Team Based Care!
- Ensure timely completion of all required paperwork, including documentation of all resident centered interactions.
- Educate and advocate for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.
Supervision Received:
- Receive regular supervision from the Peer Program Manager at least every 2 weeks seeking additional supervision whenever needed.
- May also seek additional supervision from site House Managers and other team members.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.
Other General Expectations:
- Attend and actively participate in required agency and stakeholder meetings.
- Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies, including:
- Minimum of 12 hours per year continuing education in mental health/dual recovery;
- Complete state approved Peer Support training within 3-6 months, if not completed before hire;
- 4 hours annual training in cultural competence;
- 4 days initial de-escalation training;
- 3 hours per year refresher training in this area.
- Follow all corporate policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Follow through on all directives and instructions.
- Maintain security of all corporate interests.
- Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.
Qualifications:
- Peer Specialist certification preferred(PSS, PWS, or CRM). Must be certified within 3-6 months.
- 1 year of direct support experience in the mental wellness field as a Peer Specialist preferred.
- Lived experience with either mental health, substance use, houselessness, restrictive environments, and/or altered states required.
- Lived experience with rehabilitation from the Criminal Justice system is a plus.
- 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 year preceding date of hire and must maintain this recovery.
- Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services, whether preliminary or through appeal.
- Must maintain current Oregon driver’s license as position requires the ability to drive.