Peer Support Specialist- BHRC Day Center (T - F 10am - 8pm)

MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION ASSOCIATION OF OR•Portland, OR

11d•$0 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone with similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. As a member of interdisciplinary teams, the PSS collaborates to support individuals’ self-defined and self-directed care. The role serves Day Center participants with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health challenges, including people who may be living outdoors. The PSS helps participants create person-directed recovery plans and work toward their self-defined goals, offers a listening and nonjudgmental presence, and connects participants with community resources. The position is based at the Multnomah County Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) Day Center, a peer-led, trauma-informed, and equity-based program operated by The Peer Company in collaboration with Multnomah County and community partners. The schedule is Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at 333 SW Park Ave, Portland, Oregon. This is a 1.0 FTE, 40-hour-per-week benefited position paying $25 per hour. The position reports to the BHRC Program Manager. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and identify as having lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges, including at least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery before employment. Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker) certification or MHACBO CRM certification is required, or must be obtained within 90 days of hire. Employees in recovery-focused roles with lived experience of substance use disorder must maintain continuous recovery and abstain from illegal, legal, and recreational substance or alcohol use during employment. A criminal background check and pre-hire drug screening are required; a criminal record does not necessarily exclude an applicant.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges.
At least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery before employment.
Understanding of trauma-informed care, recovery, and consumer involvement.
Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker) certification or MHACBO CRM certification, or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Typing and general technology skills to navigate electronic systems, including email and Microsoft Teams.
Ability to push, pull, lift, or carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
For employees in recovery-focused roles with lived experience of substance use disorder, maintaining continuous recovery and abstaining from illegal, legal, and recreational substance or alcohol use during employment.
Completion of a criminal background check and pre-hire drug screening.

Responsibilities

Provide one-to-one peer support to diverse participants in accordance with The Peer Company's values and principles of peer support.
Collaborate with participants to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) supporting their individualized recovery journeys.
Participate in regular peer support supervision sessions.
Collaborate with service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant plans and recovery journeys.
Attend applicable meetings to learn, communicate program objectives, and advocate for participants’ needs.
Implement regulations, policies, and procedures related to peer-delivered services, The Peer Company, and community partners.
Participate in BHRC Day Center opening and/or closing procedures and protocols.
At participants’ direction, help them explore strategies to improve satisfaction across the eight dimensions of wellness.
Travel to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners.
Administer outcome measurement tools and participate in data collection.
Support participants in crisis by helping de-escalate situations and identify next steps in their recovery journeys.
Help participants identify and engage with community resources and supports.
Document support services in the program database in compliance with policies, procedures, and local, state, and federal regulations.
Maintain accurate and current documentation required by program deliverables.
Meet metric-based performance expectations based on organizational standards and contract deliverables.
Act as a positive role model for participants exploring their paths to wellness and recovery.
Respect and honor participants’ rights and responsibilities while maintaining professional boundaries and ethics.
Adhere to mandatory abuse-reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
Complete other relevant duties as assigned.