Mobile Peer Provider (Project Respond/SBHT)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position is based out of Kerns building in NE Portland, but work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Position: Mobile Peer Provider

Program: Project Respond/Shelter Behavioral Health Team

Cascadia's Mission and Vision:  

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve. 

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life. 

Position Description: The Mobile Peer Provider provides outreach and support to individuals identified in Multnomah County Publicly Funded Shelters as having behavioral health challenges that are impacting their use and success in the shelter. The Mobile Peer provider will further support engagement, de-escalation, and advocacy to support individuals in regaining stability and maintaining shelter placement. This position is part of a team providing service to individuals staying in the Multnomah County Publicly Funded Shelters and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed, strength-based, perspective.

This position works in concert with programs in Multnomah County's Acute Care Continuum and models wellness and recovery while offering acceptance, hope, options, opportunities, problem solving and supportive peer services based on respect and mutuality through similar or shared lived experiences to individuals that are referred to them. The peer provider works collaboratively with shelter service providers, mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to assure the best possible treatment for clients, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment.

Responsibilities

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities or an all inclusive job description.

Provide support through recovery process for individuals being served by the larger Shelter Services program within the Multnomah County Publicly Funded Shelter programs.Provide individual and/or multi-participant groups in living skills and development of healthful lifestyles.Assist and support in connecting to and developing the skills necessary to access and utilize community resources, and other life skills.Model and encourage participation in community inclusion activities.Coordinate services provided with other service providers including shelter service providers as well as but not limited to medical providers, mental health providers, and Aging and Disability Services.Assess for personal safety in the environment and request Shelter Services team support and/or law enforcement support as appropriate.Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the Shelter Services Team.Reflect positive peer values that include non-hierarchy and mutuality.Act as a positive role model for individuals being served, demonstrating a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation.Openly identify as an individual who has lived experience of receiving mental health services.Provide culturally responsive services, particularly for African American, Latino and Native American participants (that are over-represented among homeless participants).Represent the Peer Wellness Program at community, state, and/or national functions as related to the work of the Peer Wellness Program.Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

PSS: Must have a completed a Peer Support training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).PWS: Must have completed a Peer Wellness training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition to the certification in order to keep current and in compliance with the OARsMust self-disclose as a current or former user of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with wellness and recovery. Some work experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges is preferred.Understanding of Peer Wellness practicesA Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition and must be kept current and in compliance with the OARs.Must complete a Peer Wellness Training approved by the OHA within two years of the date of employment if incumbent has not completed one.Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software

Working Conditions

Environmental Demands: Work is performed in the community setting primarily within Multnomah County Public Shelter spaces. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants.Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect clients, community and/or employee mental health. The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during their assigned shift. The Peer Specialist must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.Physical Demands: The Peer Support Specialist must work collaboratively with partners to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergent situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at (503) 963-7654 or peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org

This position is represented by a labor union

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following 30 days after hire date)VSP Vision Discount Plan403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution!)Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life InsurancePaid Bereavement and Jury Duty LeaveLength of Service AwardVoluntary Life InsuranceSupplemental InsuranceStudent loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Bicycle ReimbursementDiscounted Fitness MembershipsTrauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

25.68

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26.84