Chaplain/Peer Support Specialist (Santa Rosa)

Northern California Behavioral Health System•Santa Rosa, CA

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain offers spiritual support to patients of all ages, their families, and hospital staff, basing their pastoral care ministry on an inclusive basis, open to persons of all faiths or no faith. The Chaplain is committed to respecting the dignity and faith tradition of each individual, and to guiding and directing the spiritual climate of the institution. The Chaplain/Peer Support Specialist maintains knowledge of, participates in further training provided, and understands the potential risks regarding occupational health hazards (e.g. bloodborne pathogen exposures). The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary team and provides peer support services to patients of all ages with severe and persistent mental illness. The PSS functions as a role model to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serves as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for all patients. The PSS performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Approved Recovery resources such as booklets, tapes, pamphlets and other written materials will be utilized by the PSS in the provision of services. The PSS assists and guides patients toward the identification and achievement of specific goals defined by the patient and specified in the Master Treatment Plan (MTP).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or related field required
Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology (BD, M.Div. or equivalent theological degree) preferred.
Licensed ordained minister or equivalent experience required.
Certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains preferred
four units of Clinical Pastoral Education preferred.
Must have current Handle with Care (HWC) certification and CPR within 30 days of hire.
Current certification of Peer Support Specialist.
If previous patient, must meet the guidelines for Santa Rosa Behavioral Hospital patient employment policy
Knowledge of the Recovery process and the ability to facilitate recovery using established standardized mental health processes.
Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual clients in self-directed recovery.
Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness (i.e. auditory and visual hallucinations, aggressive talk and behavior, thoughts of self-harm or harm towards others, isolation) and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and ability to teach those skills to other individuals with severe mental illness.
Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the mental health consumers on their strengths and interests.
Experience with therapeutic limit-setting helpful or an understanding of level systems or other behavior management modalities helpful
Ability to maintain professional boundaries
Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills
Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others
Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization
Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer
Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time
Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population
Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy
Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information
Vision: see details of objects at close range
Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
Reach forward, up, down, and to the side
Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day
Lift up to five (5) pounds

Nice To Haves

Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology (BD, M.Div. or equivalent theological degree)
Certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains
four units of Clinical Pastoral Education
Experience with therapeutic limit-setting helpful or an understanding of level systems or other behavior management modalities helpful

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, and supervises religious and spiritual services and celebrations within the hospital, if necessary, working with outside spiritual leaders in accordance with faith traditions and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
Develops groups to focus on how the spiritual dimensions of the individual’s life can be of positive support in their recovery from psychiatric illness as well as how it may have hindered them in the past.
Assists in the assessment of the spiritual needs of patients as needed.
Facilitates the communication between patients and their faith communities as well as provides resources where patients can receive continuing spiritual support as part of their aftercare plan.
Educates the hospital staff regarding proper assessment of the spiritual needs of patients.
Educates community spiritual/religious organizations about the hospital's services.
Assist patients in articulating personal goals for recovery through the use of one-to-one and group sessions.
Assist patients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups, as well as means of locating and joining existing groups.
Assist patients in creating their own individual wellness and recovery.
Independently or with periodic assistance of interdisciplinary treatment team members, utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups.
Use ongoing individual and group sessions to teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk and how to identify and overcome fears by providing a forum which allows group members and PSS to share their experiences.
Support and enhance Independent Living Skills by educating and informing on public transportation, housing programs, and community resources.
Utilizing their recovery experience, the PSS will teach and role model the value of every individual’s recovery experience.
The PSS models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Serves as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for any effective recovery-based services that will aid the patient in daily living.
Assist in obtaining services that suit that individual’s recovery needs by providing names of staff, community resources and groups that may be useful.
Inform patients about community and natural supports and how to use these in the recovery process.
Assist patients in developing empowerment skills and combating stigma through self-advocacy.
The PSS will maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the mental health field by reading books, journals, and other relevant materials.