Peer Counselor - Part Time

Lifeline Connections • Bellingham, WA

11h • $20 - $26

About The Position

Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions. Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive. Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions. POSITION TITLE: New Journeys Peer Counselor – 0.5 FTE, Non-Exempt RESPONSIBLE TO: New Journeys Program Director GENERAL FUNCTION: New Journeys is a coordinated specialty care team that uses evidence-based treatment to provide intensive services to up to 30 individuals aged 15-40 experiencing their first episode of psychosis. This member of the team has experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and is willing to share their personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. The Peer Counselor provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required to encourage clients to reach their goals. They collaborate to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences. They are responsible for maximizing client choice, self-determination, and decision making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. This includes carrying out rehabilitation and support functions and assisting in treatment, education, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees.

Requirements

• High school diploma required.
• Completed Peer Certification Training with proof of completion is required.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills.
• The Peer Counselor, who is or has been a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness or severe emotional disturbance, should have the self-knowledge needed to manage their mental illness and be well along in their recovery.
• Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent treatment services to diverse client populations and maintain a cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
• It is essential that the Peer Counselor has skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with youth and young adults with SMI/SED and respect for clients' rights and personal preferences in treatment.
• Able to demonstrate initiative and success in providing client-centered interaction, solution-based approaches to learning, motivation techniques, and positive reinforcement skills.
• Able to demonstrate patience, creative thinking, good decision-making skills, and a willingness to assist clients with achieving treatment plan goals.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while teaching necessary living skills to clients.
• Demonstrated ability to be organized and keep accurate and timely records.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a positive team player.
• Demonstrated good time management skills.
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and ability to transport clients in personal vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of paid or volunteer work experience with youth and/or adults with mental illness is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team and attend regular team meetings and consultations as relevant to the program
• Organize and schedule work time to complete assignments and all related paperwork in a timely manner and according to program standards.
• Attend required program and agency trainings.
• Attend supervision on a regular basis as scheduled.
• Accept direction and carry out self-care methods to stay healthy.
• Act as an interpreter to help clinical team members better understand and empathize with each client’s unique and subjective experiences and perceptions.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning clients’ experiences of symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side effects of medications, clients’ responses to opinions of treatment, and clients’ experience of recovery.
• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
• Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Help other team members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the team.
• Help clients develop interests and personal identity outside of the mental health system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Lifeline Connections strives to be your employer of choice by offering our regular/full-time employees a generous benefits package.
• Our plans cover 85% of medical, dental, and vision costs at the employee level and 75% for all dependent plans.
• The majority of out-of-pocket costs (i.e. co-pays, prescriptions, and deductibles) under our medical plans are also covered.
• We also offer other benefits, such as: employer paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and supplemental coverage.
• Our full-time employees and some part-time employees also qualify for our 401(K) plan that matches dollar for dollar up to 5%.
• On top of all that, our full-time employees receive approximately 4 weeks of paid time off during their first year of employment (accrual rates increase with years of service), as well as 1 personal holiday and 12 paid holidays per year!
• There are many other supplemental benefits we are glad to offer such as tuition reimbursement and discounted cellular service amongst others.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees