Peer Counselor

Lifeline Connections•Vancouver, WA

5h•$19 - $23

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. ---------------------------------------- POSITON TITLE: Crisis Wellness Center (ITA and CTS) Peer Counselor Non-Exempt Position RESPONSIBLE TO: Peer Supervisor and Program Director MAJOR DUTIES: The Crisis Peer Counselor works under the supervision of the Peer Counselor and Program Director. This position provides recovery focused services to participants of the Crisis Stabilization and Involuntary Treatment Center. Utilizing the WRAP fidelity with the goal of crisis stabilization within the least restrictive setting. This position provides clinical services to agency patients. In fulfilling these duties, the incumbent performs the following duties independently:

Requirements

Personal experience with mental illness as a consumer of mental health treatment services.
High school diploma or equivalent required; College degree in a social science preferred.
Possess certification as a Certified Peer Counselor consistent with WAC 246-341.
Current Washington State Department of Health agency affiliate counselor or ability to obtain credentials within 60 days required.
Current CPR and First Aid and Food Handlers permit, or ability to obtain one within 90 days.
Be willing to seek to understand each individual’s unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help participants regain a sense of control.
Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of partnerships and individual choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
Interest or experience in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional behavioral health programs.
Ability to work effectively with individuals displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for individuals.
Current unencumbered driver license and proof of current car insurance required.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Great attendance.
This position requires shift work and requires the ability to work within a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings.
Ability to work well with others.

Nice To Haves

Experience with WRAP preferred, training will be required and provided.

Responsibilities

Provide peer support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate individual experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to participants to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
Participate in verbal and physical de-escalation and interventions in emergent situations and be willing to assist other team members as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Serve as a mentor to individuals to promote hope and empowerment.
Partners with each participant to provide information about service options and the process of care.
Obtains details and educates on advance directives to partner with the participant and to design and plan care.
Completes a WRAP with participant and educates team
Assists in completing admission to the Center including: a. Orientation to the program, including an introduction to staff, tour of the facility, individual rights and grievances, program schedule, and community agreements. b. Reviewing and storing personal property.
Partners with each participant to maintain a recovery environment by performing tasks including, but not limited to: a. Room Checks. b. Removes any hazardous objects and records findings as designated. c. Helps participants manage any risky behavior and completes required documentation. d. Implements contraband policy. e. Teaches life skills that enhance ability for participants to work on keeping personal space clean, encouraging ADLs, and following family style meal times.
Example of additional life skill support includes tasks such as supporting patients with shower clean up using proper infection control procedures after each use.
Act as an interpreter to help team members better understand and empathize with each individual’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
Provide expertise and consultation from a behavioral health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning participant’s experiences on symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side-effects of medications, responses to and opinions of treatment, and experiences of recovery.
Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each person’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
Help participants and other team members identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with behavioral health and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma and stigma within the team.
Run daily groups using WRAP material that encourages participants to identify personal recovery tools.
Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of individual’s rights in order to help individuals improve their knowledge of rights and grievance procedures.
Increase awareness of, and support, individual participation in consumer self-help programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
Serve as the liaison between the team and consumer-run programs such as self-help groups and drop-in centers.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and interventions in emergent situations and be willing to assist other team members as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Assists in daily cleanup of the kitchen and service areas, refrigerators, ice machine and dish washing machine
Assists in room turns for participants discharging and coming into the program
Facilitates serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with clean up following each meal
Wash program clothing and linens. Support with washing participant laundry.
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.

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