Certified Peer Counselor/Community Health Worker

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

40d•Onsite

About The Position

Harborview Medical Center has an outstanding opportunity for a Certified Peer Counselor/Community Health Worker to join our new Street Medicine Team within the Pioneer Square Downtown Programs. This role offers the chance to work with an underserved, disenfranchised homeless population, reduce health disparities, and improve health outcomes. You will join a multi-disciplinary team (MD, ARNP, RN, Mental Health Practitioner, Program Coordinator) to deliver integrated, patient-centered care to our most vulnerable and underserved neighbors. The Pioneer Square Downtown Programs focus on providing care for Harborview’s mission population to address health equity issues by increasing access to care in unique primary care settings, homeless shelters, housing programs, or community settings for people experiencing homelessness or are vulnerably housed. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a collaborative approach in client-centered care provision. This multi-disciplinary team will provide outreach, engagement, and direct care aimed towards our unhoused population within the Seattle area, including but not limited to encampments, tent cities, streets, under bridges, and shelters. We will also receive and respond to referrals from Harborview Medical Center’s Emergency Department, inpatient units, and Medical Respite program to support transitions of care for our unhoused population.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent and two years’ experience in a behavioral health organization or consumer/peer run organization; or equivalent education/experience.
Peer Counselor Certification (Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery) OR Community Health Worker Certification (Department of Health).
Within 7 days of employment and depending on job requirements: must apply for Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration/License with the State of WA (Dept. of Health) and have obtained this credential within 60 days of hire (RCW18.19.210).

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach, engagement, and direct care for unhoused individuals in various environments, such as those living in their cars, encampments, tent cities, streets, under bridges, and in the woods.
Serve as a role model demonstrating resiliency in overcoming obstacles common to those who are living unhoused and with mental illness and/or substance use and be willing to share personal lived experience as appropriate.
Serve as a role model and utilize lived experience of recovery from homelessness, mental illness and/or addiction, plus skills learned in formal training, to assist clients with identifying goals that promote recovery and resiliency.
Share personal recovery stories to help clients create their individual recovery plans.
Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to serve people experiencing homelessness, including those with substance use disorders, mental illnesses, and complex physical health conditions.
Assist patients in identifying and linking to community-based services and supports.
Provide assistance with a variety of tasks such as applying for and securing financial benefits, support with transportation needs, and other case management tasks.
Maintain clinic records and charts client contact in the electronic medical record.