Intensive Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (PSS/PWS) - TM073

Native American Rehabilitation Assoc. of the NW•Portland, OR

5d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist is a fully integrated member of the Bear Classic team at Bear Lodge, providing expertise about recovery, symptom management, and the persistence needed to support clients in living satisfying lives. The role helps foster a team culture that recognizes and respects each client’s perspectives, experiences, preferences, self-determination, and decision-making within the context of Native American and Alaska Native culture. The position provides peer counseling and consultation to clients, families, and team staff; connects clients with community resources; and carries out rehabilitation and support functions. Under clinical supervision, the specialist also assists with treatment, substance abuse services, education, family support and consultation, and crisis intervention. Services may take place at Bear Lodge, clients’ homes, medical provider offices or hospitals, and other community locations throughout the Portland metropolitan area. This is an in-person, full-time, non-exempt position based at Bear Lodge in Portland, Oregon, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hourly pay range is $22.05–$30.45.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification.
Must self-identify as a current or former recipient of mental health services and be willing to share lived experiences as appropriate.
Active Oregon Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) or Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification and active listing on the Traditional Health Worker (THW) Registry.
At least two years of professional experience performing peer support or peer wellness-related duties.
Knowledge and understanding of mental illness, addictions, and physical health, and ability to work within an integrated system of care program.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage positively with clients, promote strengths and well-being, and collaborate with an integrated team to coordinate care.
Ability to perform CPR and First Aid; current CPR and First Aid certifications are required and must be maintained.
Comfort working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
Computer competence in word processing, internet, email, and scheduling, or ability to learn these skills.
Meet NARA NW driving requirements, including a valid driver's license, clean driving record, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance.
Ability to report to work reliably and on time.
Must pass a pre-employment or for-cause drug test, criminal background check, and DMV check.
Must comply with NARA NW’s drug-free/alcohol-free workplace and modeling sobriety policies, including signing the required certification and policy forms as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness.
Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community; this experience is preferred and considered a plus.

Responsibilities

Openly identify as a person who has received mental health services and share lived experience as appropriate to the recovery process.
Serve as a role model, inspire hope, and provide expertise from a mental health consumer perspective to the team about clients’ unique experiences and perceptions.
Collaborate with the team to respect client perspectives and preferences and support client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning.
Provide practical assistance, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, individualized side-by-side support, problem solving, and supervision to help clients obtain daily necessities and services, including health care, legal and advocacy services, benefits, housing subsidies, money-management services, and transportation.
Assist with ongoing assessment of clients’ mental illness symptoms and responses to treatment.
Suggest appropriate treatment-plan changes when changes in mental status or behavior create risks and require timely intervention.
Provide ongoing assessment, problem solving, side-by-side services, skill teaching, encouragement, and environmental adaptations to support activities of daily living.
Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help clients structure their time, expand social experiences, and practice social skills.
Provide triage and support, as needed, to individuals who arrive at Bear Lodge without an appointment.
Act as a liaison with community resources and provide peer counseling and consultation to clients, families, and team staff.
Assist with treatment and substance abuse services, education, family support and consultation, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

Benefits

15 paid holidays, including the employee’s birthday.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance through Kaiser Permanente for employees working 20 or more hours; coverage is effective from the first of the month following the hire date.
13 paid days of sick time.
13 paid days of paid time off, with vacation accrual increasing with years of service to a maximum of 26 days.
$50,000 life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Flexible Spending Account.
Health Spending Account.
401(k) with 4% match.
Employee Assistance Program.
Inclement weather days (snow days).
Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility; NARA NW is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and federally qualified health center.