Peer Mentor

Fora Health•Portland, OR

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The role of the Residential and Outpatient Peer Mentor is to provide mentoring, guidance, and support for patients in two settings: those engaging in treatment in Fora’s 70 adult residential program and those engaging in treatment in the Outpatient program. The Peer Mentor works closely with the other peer mentors on the team, addiction and mental health counselors, and community partners. This role is part of a larger interdisciplinary team that includes residential assistants, counselors, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The peer also benefits from supervision and integration with the Fora Peer Mentor team. Tasks are to be completed with little follow-up from the Peer Mentor Supervisor. Support takes the form of teamwork, weekly team meetings, and bi-weekly supervision (group or individual) from the Peer Mentor Supervisor. The primary role of the Fora Peer Mentor is to serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking both to discontinue their substance use and to reduce harms from their substance use. Recognizing the need for human connection and support in all stages of change, the Peer provides emotional support; assists with setting both recovery and harm reduction goals; restructures life and daily schedules to accommodate goals; develops new friendships and healthy support networks; and gains access to services and community resources as needed. The Peer Mentor will connect individuals to self-help community supports and provide encouragement to develop lasting relationships in such settings. They will also connect individuals to walk-in or urgent care clinics as needed, follow up with patients in the community who are missing treatment appointments, and provide support and coordination with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care. Additionally, the Peer Mentor will assist patients in establishing primary care or dental care, accompany patients to medical appointments, attend community meetings, and promote program awareness and outreach. This role facilitates smooth and pleasant transitions among all levels of care at Fora Health, assists patients in accessing transitional sober housing and housing funds as available, and helps patients access peer-led recovery support meetings in the community. The Peer Mentor will also facilitate peer mentor-led group sessions, including housing retention groups.

Requirements

Certification through a recognized certification board (e.g., MHACBO, State of Oregon CRM, PSS, THW). Internal hires have 6 months to attain certification; external hires need to be certified upon hire. All hires must maintain certification.
For employees with a history of substance use disorder, certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety is required.
Ability to pass pre-employment or for-cause drug tests.
Ability to pass DHS criminal background and DMV checks.
Establish professional and supportive relationships.
Demonstrate genuine concern for people struggling with substance use disorders.
Treat all people and agencies with dignity and respect.
Work effectively within a team environment and be willing to receive and act upon feedback.
Relate to patients, families, and staff in an open-minded and non-judgmental manner.
Stay calm, alert, and emotionally available in a high-stress environment, effectively de-escalating as needed.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Demonstrate strong verbal communication and active listening skills.
Creatively problem-solve and serve as a resource (or know where to find resources) to patients and families.
Demonstrate initiative and self-confidence.
Serve as a substance-abstinent role model to patients.
Model and encourage direct professional communication.
Regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.

Responsibilities

Serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking to discontinue substance use and reduce harms from substance use.
Provide emotional support, assist with setting recovery and harm reduction goals, and restructure life and daily schedules.
Develop new friendships and healthy support networks.
Gain access to services and community resources.
Connect individuals to self-help community supports and encourage lasting relationships.
Connect individuals to walk-in or urgent care clinics.
Follow up with patients missing treatment appointments and coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members.
Assist patients in establishing primary care or dental care and accompany them to medical appointments.
Attend community meetings and promote program awareness and outreach.
Facilitate smooth transitions among all levels of care at Fora Health.
Assist patients in accessing transitional sober housing and housing funds.
Assist patients in accessing peer-led recovery support meetings.
Facilitate peer mentor-led group sessions, including housing retention groups.
Attend weekly Peer Mentor staffing meetings.
Accurate and timely documentation of all engagements with patients in electronic medical records.
Follow agency policies and procedures.
Attend training and meetings as scheduled and required.
Drive a company car responsibly if eligible and maintain a clean driving record.
Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.