Peer Support Specialist

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

3d•$21 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated member of the housing team to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by participants to have a satisfying life. The Peer Support Specialist collaborates to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands and respects each participant’s point of view, experiences and preferences within the context of Native American/Alaska Native culture. They provide peer counseling and consultation to individual and family PSH participants and team staff; acts as a liaison with community resources; carries out support functions; and assists in behavioral health services, education, support and consultation to families and crisis intervention under clinical supervision. These services may occur in individual residences or at other points in the community. This position will work specifically with single adults and families who have experienced unsheltered homelessness.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Must self-identify as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services and be willing to share lived experiences as appropriate.
Must have completed a Peer Wellness Training approved by The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and qualify to be certified as a Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire date, or qualify to be credentialed as a Certified Recovery Mentor through MHACCBO.
Knowledge and understanding of mental illness, addictions, and physical health and ability to work within an integrated system of care program.
Requires exceptional interpersonal communication skills and the ability to engage and interact positively with participants to promote strengths and improve health and well being and to work collaboratively as part of an integrated team to coordinate care.
Requires flexibility, confidentiality, demonstrated ability and ongoing commitment to the maintenance of professional boundaries with participants, the community, and other staff members, and the proven ability to work professionally and collaboratively in a team environment, treating everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
If in recovery from substance abuse, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.
Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks.
Must be able to perform CPR and First Aid. CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.
Must demonstrate a high degree of comfort working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental illness
Competent with computers for word processing, internet, email and scheduling, or able to learn these skills.
Must have a valid driver’s license in the state of Oregon or effectively use public transportation to travel independently in the program’s service area.
Ability to report to work reliably and in a timely fashion.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness.
Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus.
At least one year of experience as a Peer Specialist, Certified Recovery Mentor, or one year of experience working/volunteering in a helping profession.

Responsibilities

Openly identify as a person who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services. Act as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
Provide expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective to the entire team concerning each participant’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
Provide practical help and supports, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side by side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance and supervision to help participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI, SSDI, veterans’ benefits); money-management services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
Increase awareness of and support participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment of PSH participant’s support service needs and suggest appropriate changes in service plans to ensure that appropriate services are provided in response to changes in needs, including behavioral health needs.
Assist in the provision of direct clinical services to participants on an individual, group and family basis in community settings to teach symptom-management techniques and promote personal growth and development.
Provide nutrition education and assistance with meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
Ensure that participants have adequate financial support (help to gain employment and apply for entitlements).
Teach money management skills (budgeting and paying bills) and assist participants in accessing financial services.
Help participants to access reliable transportation (obtain a driver’s license and car, arrange for medical transport, use public transportation, find rides).
Assist and support participants to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist and other medical specialists as required.
Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help participants structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills and attend cultural activities.
Maintain appropriate and timely documentation.
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Actively seek information and training to maintain professional level skills.

Benefits

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25th!
Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
13 Paid Days of Sick Time
13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
$50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
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 -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC