Peer Support Specialist (33649)

NEW NARRATIVE•Portland, OR

15d•$22

About The Position

The purpose of the Peer Specialist is to support residents of the Breitung building which is comprised of 28 Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing [HUD-VASH] permanent supportive housing units. Residents include veterans who have experienced houselessness, mental health, and/or substance use challenges and the Peer Specialist will work to support them in obtaining and maintaining permanent supportive housing, using a variety of approaches that support the whole person. The Peer Specialist will report to the Breitung Program Manager with additional oversight from the Peer Supervisor when needed. The Peer Specialist uses a Person-Centered approach to create and work on a Peer-Assisted Wellness and Recovery Plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual receiving services, as well as to lead groups that increase independence, pro-social community integration, and recovery. The Peer Specialist uses their own recovery story when appropriate and models the principles of recovery to assist peers in gaining greater independence, wellness, and self-determination. Breitung staff will provide wraparound services to residents through one-to-one peer support, outings, skill building and support groups, on-site social events, and resource-gathering to promote overall mental wellness.

Requirements

Peer Support Certification required (PSS, PWS, or CRM)
Lived experience with either mental health, substance use, houselessness, restrictive environments, and/or altered states required.
Incumbents with a history of substance use challenges must be in recovery and free of problems relating to active substance use for 1 full year preceding date of hire and must maintain this recovery.
Must maintain current Oregon or Washington’s State driver’s license as position requires the ability to drive.
All applicants must have completed peer support certification training and be registered with the state.

Nice To Haves

1 year of direct support experience in the mental wellness field, particularly as PSS, PWS, CRM preferred
Lived experience with military service/veteran status preferred
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
Direct peer support experience in peer field preferred.

Responsibilities

Positively motivated and willing to meet and engage with people “where they are”.
Provides peer support to residents of the Breitung program.
Must be able to assist in de-escalation and crisis as needed.
Coordinates with community resources to access food, maintain housing, and support the social wellbeing of each resident.
Provides support to residents in a variety of ways including but not limited to: One-to-one peer support, skills-building and support groups, individual and group outings, on-site social events
Assists with intake screenings as requested by resident and monthly/quarterly surveys regarding resident satisfaction.
Attends and positively participate in required meetings.
Ensures timely completion of all required documentation.
Maintains a regular, reliable work schedule.
Completes all assignments in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Documents all significant resident contact within 24-72 hours of service delivery.
Works with Breitung residents to identify wellness and recovery goals. Assist in creating a Wellness Plan that identifies the individual’s self-determined goals, as well as specific objectives to carry out these goals.
Exemplifies recovery principles to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Shares own recovery story as appropriate and walks the road of recovery alongside the resident.
Endorses multiple paths to recovery.
Assists with screenings, move-in, move-out and activities necessary to maintain residence as requested by residents.
Works with teams, including clinical and property management team members, to provide an integrative experience for resident that supports them holistically in goal-setting and daily living.
Develops and facilitates peer-led groups, with input from community members.
Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress.
Ensures timely completion of all required paperwork, including documentation of all resident centered interactions.
Effectively works to increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency regarding Person Centered and Peer Delivered Services.
Educate and advocate for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.
Provides supportive presence through regularly walking the community to ensure entrances are secure, communal areas are clean and free from clutter, address resident issues and concerns.
Supports residents in maintaining lease requirements and remedying any violations
Provides support and respond by de-escalating crisis as needed
Utilizes best practice crisis prevention approaches to decrease use of crisis services, Project Respond, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.
Responds to emergency situations and work in collaboration with law enforcement, emergency health care providers, and acute care settings if necessary
Supports harm reduction principles
Linkage to resources such as, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.
Follows and adheres to policy and procedure for mandatory reporting and documentation.
Receives regular supervision from the Breitung Program Manager, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.
Positively participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.
Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and establish priorities as a group.
Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
Creative, innovative and progressive problem-solver.
Ability to remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.
Ability to participate professionally and collaboratively in interdisciplinary meetings with outside agencies.
Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and ability to navigate new computer systems as needed.
Maintain Peer Support certification (20 CEUS over a three-year period)
Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols.
Uphold the National Association of Peer Supporters Guidelines for Peer Specialists
Maintain security of all PHI (Private Health Information).
Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.
Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services, including participating in an appeals process if desired.