Peer Specialist - ORCA Center

DESC•Seattle, WA

19m•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Specialist acts as a member of a multidisciplinary team responsible for supporting individuals who have experienced an opioid overdose and/or those with a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder. DESC’s ORCA Center sites provide 24-hour, low-barrier, enhanced supportive services. Here, the Peer will offer in-the-moment, person-centered, trauma-informed engagement with individuals who may otherwise not be present at more traditional clinics. Work is done under the supervision of the ORCA Day Nurse Supervisor, with consultation from DESC’s Peer leadership team. The Opioid Recovery and Care Access (ORCA) Center Peer Specialist is a member of DESC’s multidisciplinary team providing 24/7 clinical care to individuals impacted by opioid use. Peer Specialists bring lived experience with recovery from substance use and/or addiction and apply formal training to support clients through mind-body recovery and resilience. The ORCA Peer Specialist shares personal, practical experience, knowledge, and insight with participants and team members. They are well established in their recovery and offer unique perspectives that complement clinical practice. Services will be provided at the ORCA Center. This position involves a high degree of collaboration with other DESC programs, community partners, and healthcare providers. The role reports to the ORCA Day Nurse Supervisor, with peer support guidance available from the SUD Peer Supervisor.

Requirements

Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire.
Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Cultural humility and capacity to engage clients from diverse backgrounds
Experience or interest in working with individuals who are difficult to engage in traditional services
Knowledge of community resources and strong interpersonal communication skills
Experience working with adults who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, have a mental health condition and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for consumers.
Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity

Nice To Haves

One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services or like industry serving a diverse client/participant population.
Two or more years’ experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist.
Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.
Training or experience in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and harm reduction
Bilingual in Spanish/English or other languages

Responsibilities

Provide engagement, and recovery support to people experiencing opioid or stimulant use disorders.
Respond to individuals' post-overdose and provide support in navigating care and initiating Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine and methadone.
Assist with follow-up care for individuals recently started on MOUD.
Support clients referred from emergency departments, shelters, and first responders.
Assist clients in obtaining and coordinating essential services including housing, transportation, financial planning, health care, and employment resources.
Advocate for client access to services and work to remove barriers to care.
Educate and support clients regarding harm reduction, overdose prevention, and stigma reduction.
Provide harm reduction training and support to DESC staff.
Integrate lived experience and recovery principles into service delivery.
Help client’s express preferences and goals through tools such as Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Contingency Management Plans.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, program meetings, clinical reviews, and staff training.
Document clinical interactions and services provided per DESC policy.