Peer Counselor (BEST Care Management)

Richmond Area Multi-Servi•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

In this role, the Peer Counselor provides trauma-informed and culturally responsive peer support services, including outreach to newly referred clients at locked facilities, shelters, residential treatment centers, or elsewhere in the community. The Peer Counselor is critical in building rapport and emphasizing compassionate care to the individual as part of the engagement, utilizing one’s own counseling training and lived experience, as applicable, in establishing safety, trust, and reducing trauma for the most vulnerable members of our San Francisco community. The Peer Counselor works closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to offer counseling, resource linkage, and accompaniment to appointments, as well as coordination with community partners related to client care.

Requirements

At least a High School Diploma (or GED) required. Associate of Arts (AA) degree or higher from an accredited institution, highly preferred
At least 2-3 years of direct personal experience with the community behavioral health system or drug treatment program/services preferably in San Francisco
Completion of a Peer Support Specialist certificate training; addiction or drug counseling certificate program; mental health certificate; or equivalent education AND/OR at least two years of peer counseling or related experience, particularly working with diverse constituencies. Familiarity with homeless populations is highly preferred
Certification as a CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Demonstrated knowledge of the Wellness and Recovery Model, Harm Reduction, and other evidence-based practices such as crisis intervention and de-escalation training, Wellness-Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Seeking Safety, addiction counseling, understanding of substance use issues.
Must be able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within San Francisco
Must be able to physically walk/stand in San Francisco neighborhoods up to 75% of any assigned shift, as applicable.
Must be able to physically lift or carry items up to 20 lbs at a time, approximately 25% of the assigned shift

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in outreach/engagement to targeted at-risk populations, very strongly preferred
Professional or lived experience working with people struggling with mental health conditions and opioid or other drug misuse
Excellent communication and organization with the ability to present feedback in a positive and empowering manner
Ability to work effectively with diverse program staff, community partners, and behavioral health clients
Strong knowledge and experience with service delivery documentation (including counseling planning), HIPAA standards, utilization review, and data management
Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times related to client care and HIPAA standards
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, highly preferred
Familiarity with the San Francisco community resources/services (may include health, mental health, substance abuse, vocational, housing, etc.), highly preferred
Strong commitment to the philosophy, goals, & mission of RAMS in providing community-based, culturally responsive, and person-centered mental health services to the community
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively, function independently, and interact professionally with a diverse, multicultural, and interdisciplinary staff of all levels
Ability to provide services in threshold language (Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian, Tagalog, Arabic) highly preferred but not required

Responsibilities

As part of the BEST Care Mgmt. team, provide trauma-informed, culturally aligned, and person-centered peer counseling services for individuals who are living with chronic behavioral health and medical conditions and transitioning to community-based care.
Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health clinicians and other healthcare professionals to perform consistent and focused outreach, engagement, and linkage to treatment for clients referred.
Demonstrate competency in utilizing community resources (e.g. hospitals, primary care clinics, shelters, pharmacies, and substance use treatment programs) to provide effective linkage and follow up care as guided by the care plan and as assigned.
Work with other team members in quickly assessing the needs of identified clients, utilizing training, knowledge of multiple systems of care, and lived experience as applicable to help assist in the support of a client. The peer counselor will rely heavily on the Wellness & Recovery model, trauma informed principles, harm-reduction, and de-escalation techniques as part of their intervention, as appropriate.
Must have excellent communication skills and be able to navigate team dynamics and work with multi-disciplinary teams in a collaborative and cohesive approach.
Utilize safety-training protocols as developed by DPH and RAMS to practice situational awareness and safe outreach practices in the community.
Document in the Electronic Health Record (Epic), use HIPAA-protected app based communication software (Microsoft Teams, zoom), and train on other electronic platforms as required.
Work collaboratively with the team on de-briefing procedures and team self-care protocols.
Must be able travel via public transportation or taxi/ride-share service when accompanying clients to their appointments or to community resources.
Must be able to maintain regular attendance to assigned shifts
Must be able to demonstrate a high level of resilience, emotional regulation, and practice of self-care as part of maintaining wellness in a high intensity and emotionally demanding role.
Maintain timely administrative and service documentation and records 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
Represent RAMS at various stakeholder meetings to provide feedback about best practices of street-based peer services and experiences of the team in their work under this project
Participate in supervision meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, in-service training and other staff development activities
Perform other duties as assigned