Mobile - Peer Support Specialist

Columbia River Mental Health Services•Vancouver, WA

6h•$23 - $24•Hybrid

About The Position

Columbia River Mental Health Services (CRMHS) is a growing not-for-profit provider of behavioral health and recovery services in southwest Washington, with a history dating back to 1942. They are the largest and oldest provider in the region, employing 200 individuals. CRMHS is dedicated to transforming the lives of children, adults, and families through comprehensive services. This position involves providing peer support services as part of an integrated team to clients undergoing treatment. The Mental Health Peer Support Counselor will offer direct support to participants, helping them achieve their identified goals. Responsibilities include facilitating socialization, self-advocacy, developing natural supports, and enhancing community living skills. The Peer Support Specialist will model recovery and coping skills, and services may encompass self-help groups, telephone support, drop-in centers, and sharing personal life experiences. Services will be delivered both within and outside the agency, including transporting and assisting clients in accessing community services and agencies.

Requirements

High school diploma
Active certification specializing in WA State Peer Support
Personal lived experience with mental health recovery and willingness to share this experience appropriately to support others.
Strong commitment to recovery principles and client-centered care.
Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team in the field.
High level of autonomy, flexibility, and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
Proficient computer skills (EHR systems, outlook, word, excel, etc.)
Ability to engage peers from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with co-occurring disorders and those experiencing homelessness.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to operate a computer, keyboard, and phone for extended periods
Ability to drive or arrange reliable transportation to community-based appointments throughout Clark County and surrounding areas

Responsibilities

Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery.
Assist clients in determining the objectives they need to take to reach their recovery goals.
Document in the Individual Service Plan the Peer Services to be provided, including assisting clients in determining problems, identifying recovery goals, setting objectives, determining interventions, observing progress, and understanding specific interventions.
Lead and teach clients how to facilitate Recovery Dialogues.
Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups.
Assist clients in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
Utilize and teach problem-solving techniques with individuals and groups.
Teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk based on their experience.
Teach clients how to identify and overcome fears based on their experience.
Support the vocational choices clients make and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety.
Assist clients in building social skills in the community by accessing community resources and services.
Assist non-consumer staff in identifying program environments conducive to recovery and lend unique insight into mental illness and recovery.
Attend treatment team meetings to promote consumer's use of self-directed recovery tools.
Provide group and individual services to individuals based on "lived experience".
Provide outreach services to engage potential and current participants in services.
Coordinate individual needs and social and health services for program participants with the goal of housing and employment.
Provide paperwork assistance for the team and Program Manager.
Maintain confidentiality of all information concerning participants.
Lead peer support and program orientation groups in conjunction with other team members.
Establish and maintain effective communication with participants.
Engage clients through their own recovery journey.
Bring the clients perspective to meetings and etc.
Assist individuals to navigate services and systems based on their own experiences.
Use navigation as a vehicle to discuss recovery.
Support agency mission, goals, and objectives while adhering to agency policies & procedures; HIPAA compliance; safety standards; infection control procedures; TMACT Fidelity standards; and applicable federal/state regulations.
Document services promptly in the electronic health record (EHR) and additional programs, following fidelity and compliance standards.
Attend staff and planning meetings as scheduled.
Maintain communication and cooperative working relationships both within the agency and community at large, while maintaining a high degree of confidentiality.
Promote client self-determination and recovery through strength & harm-reduction based engagement.