Peer Support Specialist

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE • Pasco, WA

13d • $18 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

Peer Support Specialist assists clients in exercising control over their lives and recovery process by promoting socialization, self-advocacy, development of natural support and maintenance of community living skills. Shares own life experiences with clients as a supportive service. Schedule: 20 hours per week (hours to be determined) with one week per month on call.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be a self-identified consumer of behavioral health services.
• Completion of, or eligibility to complete, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Peer Counselor training and certification requirements are required.
• Must complete a minimum of 80 hours of Certified Peer Support Specialist training through the Health Care Authority and submit a Certified Peer Support Specialist application through the Department of Health.
• Requires completion of 1,000 supervised hours as a peer counselor trainee.
• Must be eligible for registration as Agency Affiliated Counselor
• Must have valid driver's license and vehicle liability insurance
• Candidates to complete a post-offer, pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Peer Counselor training and certification requirements.
• Completion of 80 hours of Certified Peer Support Specialist training through the Health Care Authority.
• Submission of a Certified Peer Support Specialist application through the Department of Health.
• Completion of 1,000 supervised hours as a peer counselor trainee.

Responsibilities

• Conducts behavioral health groups following Comprehensive Healthcare’s guidelines and policies.
• Leads groups using effective group facilitation skills that promote participation and interaction among group members.
• Utilizes group process to develop insight, practice skills, and motivate client for change.
• Follows lesson plan or curriculum and connects presented material to individual treatment plan goals.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of development in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge and understanding of behavioral health problems in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of and ability to work with issues of confidentiality, consent and capacity.
• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate and coordinate with family, parents, caregivers and community and natural supports.
• Communicates effectively with children and youth of differing ages and developmental levels.
• Utilizes appropriate crisis intervention techniques for client stabilization.
• Accurately screens for risk to self, others, property and the presence of grave disability and makes appropriate referrals.
• Documents and reports and/or notifies as required by law.
• Applies QPRT (Question, Persuade, Refer or Treat) principles in assessing risk and in safety and treatment planning.
• Develops and documents appropriate safety plans.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of normal aging process and age related changes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of neurocognitive disorders and their impacts on functioning.
• Demonstrates awareness of how medical issues can affect mental status.
• Appropriately shares personal recovery experiences to provide encouragement and support clients in their recovery.
• Models ways to engage with others and increase social supports and develop meaningful relationships.
• Describes personal recovery practices and helps clients discover recovery practices that work for them.
• Educates about and teaches clients on how to access and navigate resources in the community.
• Helps clients to function as an active member of their treatment team.
• Educates family members and other supportive individuals about recovery and recovery supports.
• Shares lived experiences to assist clients in learning how to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and other tasks.
• Provides clients with constructive feedback and motivational strategies in order to assist in their recovery.
• Completes all required service notes according to Comprehensive Healthcare’s guidelines, policies and procedures regarding format, content and timeliness.
• Language used in service notes is respectful, clear, descriptive, concise and client-centered.
• Service notes accurately depict treatment modalities and interventions provided within the clinician’s scope of practice and according to treatment plan.
• Service notes accurately reflect and depict client status and progress consistent with assessment and reassessment data, problem statements and treatment plan goals and objectives.
• Conducts and documents ongoing assessment of client symptoms and their response to prescribed medications.
• Provides support and education to encourage clients to take medications as prescribed.
• Promotes illness self-management skills to assist clients with medication adherence, identifying warning signs and symptoms, and symptom management skills.
• Monitors medication side effects and facilitates access to, and communication with, medical staff as needed.

Benefits

• Training and Development
• A variety of career opportunities in a wide range of settings with room for mobility and promotion
• Regular training opportunities including support, supervision, and consultation in implementing evidence-based services and programs
• Clinical supervision toward licensure, if applicable
• Innovative Program & Services
• A strong reputation for providing quality, evidence-based services within a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment
• Innovative, forward-looking leadership that seeks to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment
• Joint Commission-accredited organization committed to continuous quality improvement
• Established partnerships with major research universities and other community and healthcare providers to implement cutting-edge treatment programs and services
• Competitive salaries within our communities and industry
• Healthcare coverage for employee and qualified family members
• Generous vacation, paid holiday and sick leave policies
• Access to Employee Assistance Program services
• Agency-funded retirement plan with contributions equal to 5% of compensation
• Additional retirement investment opportunities with a 50% investment match of up to 4% of compensation
• Agency-funded life and disability insurance program
• Financial incentives to further employee education

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED