Peer Counselor - Chinatown North Beach Mental Health

Richmond Area Multi-Servi•San Francisco, CA

5h•$26 - $31

About The Position

The RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services provides innovative programming staffed by skilled peer counselors using their training and lived experience with mental health conditions and/or substance use to empower clients, provide peer support, and offer connection to ongoing care for clients throughout San Francisco's behavioral health system. Serving the Chinatown, North Beach, and surrounding neighborhoods, Chinatown North Beach Mental Health Services is a San Francisco Dept. of Public Health (SFDPH) clinic that provides multi-disciplinary behavioral health treatment services for San Francisco residents of all ages, offering: Individual therapy, Group therapy, Psychiatric medication, and Adult Socialization programs. The RAMS Peer Counselor/Service Coordinator at Chinatown North Beach Mental Health works with clients of the SFDPH Behavioral Health Adult/Older Adult System of Care. The Peer Counselor plans and facilitates activity-based, socialization, support, and psychoeducational groups; collaborates with SFDPH behavioral health clinicians, health workers, and psychiatric staff on supporting client care plans; and offers individual peer support, appointment navigation throughout the system of care, and resource linkage for clients accessing services at Chinatown North Beach Mental Health.

Requirements

At least a High School Diploma, required. Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher from an accredited institution, very strongly preferred
At least 2-3 years of direct personal “lived” experience with the community behavioral health system, preferably in San Francisco
At least 1-2 years of peer counseling or related experience, particularly working with diverse communities, highly preferred
Certification (or eligibility for certification) as a CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Ability to provide bilingual & culturally competent services in Cantonese, due to the populations served.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with community behavioral health systems of care in San Francisco, including the philosophy of care, levels of care for clinical services, and the delivery of such services
Working knowledge of San Francisco community resources/services highly preferred
Familiarity with Wellness and Recovery Model, the Supported Employment Model, and other evidence-based practices such as Wellness-Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Seeking Safety, Overdose Prevention, Harm Reduction, and more.
Knowledge of service delivery documentation and HIPAA standards
Must be able to travel to and from clinic worksite and other locations within San Francisco
Ability to prioritize, multitask, and perform & complete duties with minimal supervision, both independently and as part of a team
Strong commitment to the philosophy, goals, & mission of RAMS in providing community-based, culturally responsive, and person-centered mental health services to the community
Commitment to engaging in professional development activities such as trainings, continuing education seminars, case conferences, and reviewing up-to-date material, etc., as related to treatment strategies for the consumer populations served by DPH-BHS
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively, function independently, and interact professionally with diverse, multi-cultural, and interdisciplinary staff of all levels
Ability to work independently and establish priorities
Excellent organizational skills; accuracy and attention to detail
Exceptional reading and writing skills with the ability to understand and interpret written instructions or communications in English, effectively communicate to staff, program partners, vendors, & clients
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds in weight
Ability to type a minimum of twenty five (25) words per minute using a computer

Responsibilities

Provide culturally responsive peer counseling services, support, resource linkage, appointment navigation, case management, outreach, and skills-building trainings to a caseload of diverse clients, in collaboration with multidisciplinary team and community providers
Engage clients in a clinic-based setting who may be living with mental health challenges, substance use, poverty, homelessness, and/or other barriers to stability and employment, utilizing best practices in peer counseling, harm reduction, and strengths-based strategies
Welcome, engage, and assist clients by facilitating support groups, leading activity groups, conducting one-on-one client meetings, and physically accompanying clients to appointments in the community as needed, all aimed at supporting their collaboratively developed wellness & recovery goals and care plans
Assist in organizing & coordinating client engagement and outreach activities, including cultural events and activity groups both onsite and in the community, as well as client advisory councils/committees, as needed
Support and empower clients in accessing, navigating, and following up on the use of resources in the community including, but not limited to: medical and mental health services, housing, food assistance, transportation, legal assistance, gender-specific services, public benefits, government programs, education programs, vocational and employment services, cultural adjustment, immigration services, payee services, decision-making, technology assistance, and any other services that may support clients in overcoming barriers to well-being and self-sufficiency
Foster and sustain connections with care providers and other related services, such as attending care planning meetings, preparing necessary documentation and reports, and maintaining regular communication with care providers, as appropriate for client care coordination
Appropriately seek assistance and guidance when developing a plan of action with clients, consulting with multi-disciplinary team as needed to determine appropriate next steps
Serve as a resource to therapists/counselors and case managers by identifying and researching community resources and assisting with client referrals and linkage to community providers
Help maintain a safe and supportive environment where client care and wellness is a priority
Maintain timely administrative and service documentation and records (using Epic electronic health record and other software platforms) related to client care and program-related monitoring, in accordance to standards specified by RAMS policies and oversight agencies (e.g. DPH, etc.)
Develop and maintain clear, open, timely, cooperative, and diplomatic communications and working relations with all staff, clients, and partner agencies
Serve as model of professional standards for clients
Participate in supervision meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, in-service training and other staff development activities
Perform other duties as assigned