Certified Peer Specialist - FT

Pioneer Human Services • Sedro-Woolley, WA

49d • $22 - $33

About The Position

Pioneer Human Services is hiring a Certified Peer Specialist to provide client advocacy and support to people receiving behavioral health services. Under the supervision of a mental health professional and/or a substance use disorder professional (SUDP), the specialist uses personal lived experience and training to provide hope and encouragement and promote personal responsibility in recovery. The role supports clinical and/or residential staff in providing behavioral health services in accordance with WAC 246-341-0200.

Duties include helping clients access community services and pursue recovery activities, advocating for client needs, modeling appropriate boundaries, and supporting clients with program-specific care and daily living tasks. The specialist also maintains documentation and quality standards, communicates and collaborates with clients, coworkers, service providers, and community members, and participates in supervision, training, and meetings. The position is safety-sensitive and subject to pre-employment and during-employment drug testing, including testing for marijuana.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Proof of Certified Peer Counselor Certification.
• Meet Washington Health Care Authority Certified Peer Counselor application requirements: identify as a person with lived experience with mental health or substance use services, or be the parent or legal guardian of a child with such lived experience.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have at least one year in mental health or substance use disorder recovery.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities and proficiency in reading comprehension and writing.
• Be willing to share a personal recovery story.
• Obtain Agency Affiliated Counselor credential under WAC 246-810-015 and RCW 18.19.210 within 60 days of hire.
• Have a valid food handlers card within one week of hire.

Nice To Haves

• A.A., B.A., or B.S. degree in a health or human services field.

Responsibilities

• Help clients obtain community services, including healthcare, social services, housing, employment training, and employment.
• Support clients’ pursuit of recovery activities and use lived experience and training to encourage recovery.
• Support clinical and/or residential staff in providing clinical services and advocate for client needs.
• Act as a role model and maintain appropriate boundaries in the peer role.
• Report incidents affecting clients to the supervisor on duty and complete online incident reports when requested.
• Assist with client intakes and discharges where applicable.
• Prepare and serve food and clean food service equipment and dining areas where applicable.
• Retrieve, remove, and store clients’ linens and clothing where applicable.
• Retrieve hygiene products for clients when requested.
• Perform applicable cleaning duties, including sweeping, wiping tables, taking out garbage, and making or dismantling bedding for new and discharging clients.
• Oversee clients’ smoke breaks where applicable.
• Maintain quality of care consistent with or exceeding applicable Washington State regulations and accrediting or contracting standards.
• Follow program and Department of Health professional and ethical standards and provide professionally written documentation and correspondence.
• Plan professional, therapeutic responses or interventions in client care situations.
• Communicate professionally with clients, program staff, service providers, and community members.
• Promote and model teamwork and collaboration with coworkers.
• Participate in required supervision, training, staff meetings, and other meetings as directed.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees after 30 days of full-time employment (minimum 30 hours per week).
• Flexible spending account for eligible employees after 30 days of full-time employment (minimum 30 hours per week).
• Life, AD&D, and disability coverage after 60 days.
• Dependent daycare flexible spending account.
• Tuition assistance: 100% for bachelor’s programs and 50% for graduate programs.
• Retirement plan with a 3.5% annual compensation contribution and a 3.5% match when the employee contributes 6%.
• Employee recognition programs.
• Public transportation discount.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED