Peer Specialist - WellConnect

DESC•Seattle, WA

5d•$39 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

The WellConnect Peer Specialist is part of DESC’s modified assertive community treatment (ACT) team, which serves Permanent Supportive Housing residents with complex needs who are underserved by traditional office-based care. The interdisciplinary team provides community integration, systems navigation, care coordination, psychiatric medication management, peer support, housing stability services, co-occurring substance use treatment, and individual and group psychotherapy. The Peer Specialist draws on lived experience receiving mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness, sharing practical knowledge and first-hand insight to benefit participants and the team. The role offers expertise on recovery, advocacy, symptom management, and the persistence needed to build a satisfying life. The position also includes paid participation in an on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis coverage. A Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist credential is required as a condition of employment.

Requirements

Current Washington State Department of Health Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential.
Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services, including mental health and/or substance use treatment, or being the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency business, with a current Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record.
Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage or maintain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Ability to participate in a regular paid on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis coverage for WellConnect clients, by phone and in person.
Reliable home internet access for after-hours crisis coverage shifts.
Good oral and written communication skills and ability to work effectively with participants and staff from varied backgrounds.
Ability to complete clinical documentation promptly and according to agency guidelines.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently, and exercise professional judgment.
Ability to build supportive, trusting relationships with people with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect their rights and treatment preferences.
Understanding of and respect for participant confidentiality and HIPAA requirements.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
Experience working with adults experiencing or having experienced homelessness, mental illness, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and to consideration and respect for clients.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience in community-based behavioral health services or a similar industry serving a diverse client or participant population.
Two or more years of experience leveraging a personal peer story as a peer specialist.
Bilingual Spanish/English ability.
Basic understanding of psychiatric medications.
Experience creatively engaging individuals in treatment.
Experience navigating Social Security and DSHS benefits applications.

Responsibilities

Provide peer counseling and support, using shared experiences to validate participants and encourage active participation in recovery.
Mentor participants to promote hope and empowerment.
Help other team members understand participants’ individual experiences and perspectives.
Advise the team from a mental health participant perspective on symptoms, medication effects and side effects, treatment responses, and recovery experiences.
Help participants identify and address stigma and discrimination, and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
Help team members recognize and address broader stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness.
Encourage participation in self-help programs and advocacy organizations, and connect participants with recovery-oriented services.
Support case management, including benefits enrollment and recertification, appointments, payee services, and psychiatric rehabilitation.
Assist with ongoing assessment of symptoms and treatment responses, and suggest treatment-plan changes when participants’ status or behavior presents a risk.
Assist with individual, group, and family clinical services in office and community settings, including teaching symptom-management techniques and supporting personal growth.
Assist with stage-based, non-confrontational treatment that considers the interaction of mental illness and substance use, follows participant-determined goals, and uses harm-reduction approaches.
Provide mentoring and supportive services related to work, including help obtaining clothing and grooming supplies, wake-up calls, and transportation.
Assess daily living needs and provide problem solving, side-by-side support, skills teaching, prompts, encouragement, and environmental adaptations.
Help participants find and maintain safe, affordable housing, including apartment searches, landlord negotiations, furnishing, and obtaining household necessities.
Support participants with household activities, personal hygiene, grooming, nutrition, meal planning, shopping, and food preparation.
Help participants access financial support and entitlements, employment, budgeting and bill-paying skills, and financial services.
Help participants access reliable transportation and primary, dental, and specialist medical care.
Coach and encourage participants in social activities and relationships, and help plan and carry out leisure activities on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities.
Provide practical assistance, advocacy, coordination, and supervision to help participants obtain health care, legal services, financial support, housing subsidies, money-management services, and transportation.
Support healthy living conditions through outreach, skills support, coordination with housing staff, participation in care conferences and unit cleanouts, and documentation of barriers.
Participate in team meetings, psychiatric consultations, clinical supervision, program meetings, trainings, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Follow clinical accountability procedures, maintain complete and timely clinical records, participate in quality assurance reviews, and follow research and evaluation procedures.
Participate in a paid on-call rotation for 24-hour crisis coverage, by phone and in person.
Perform other duties as assigned.