SERVICE COORDINATOR I – PEER SPECIALIST

Step Up•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$25 - $26

About The Position

The Peer Service Coordinator I (PSCI) is a member of Step Up’s Full-Service Partnership Intensive Case Management (FSP-ICM) interdisciplinary team. The field-based program serves adults and Transition Age Youth (TAY) ages 18 and older who experience severe mental health challenges, including people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program provides intensive mental health services in community, field, and clinic-based settings, using an outreach and engagement approach and evidence-based practices including Mental Health Recovery, Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing. The PSCI serves as a stable, positive role model, drawing on personal experience and trained knowledge to support members in achieving their individually stated goals. The role provides peer support, minor case management, rehabilitation services, referrals, resource linkage, and transportation or accompaniment when needed. The coordinator works with members and the interdisciplinary treatment team, shares observations about members’ functioning and circumstances with clinically qualified staff, and completes required documentation and billing-related work. This position is full-time and non-exempt. It involves working with people experiencing homelessness in settings such as streets, shelters, and other places of habitation or services. Employees may encounter challenging environments, including infestations, poor hygiene, distressing language, and expressions of anger or trauma. Direct care staff receive training in de-escalation, and the organization has procedural safeguards intended to mitigate workplace risks. The position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU 721) bargaining unit.

Requirements

Peer Specialist Certification.
At least one year of experience working with mentally ill adults in a community setting, or other relevant experience.
Ability to engage and work effectively with young adults.
Knowledge of benefits and services, mental health diagnoses and levels of functioning, and evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Housing First, and Harm Reduction.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to engage others in care.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, including with community agencies and in street-based and agency settings.
Initiative and a solution-focused approach.
Good time-management skills and ability to balance drop-in responsibilities, direct service, and paperwork.
Ability to work within skills and scope of practice and seek support or training when needed.
Ability to promote safety for oneself and team members.
Valid California driver’s license and insurance.
Ability to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear regularly.
Ability to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch frequently.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
Close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to perform keyboard data entry.

Responsibilities

Develop rapport with new and current clients and collaborate with the treatment team to determine appropriate case management and mental health service needs.
Attend staff and community meetings as requested by the Program Manager.
Attend scheduled supervision with management to consult about members and discuss consumer care or documentation issues.
Interact with members individually or in groups to provide peer support and minor case management, including referrals to community resources.
Assist with rehabilitation services, including meals, showers, laundry, and linkage to necessary resources.
Help clients access psychiatric and medical care and appointments, housing, benefits, community rehabilitation, and socialization activities.
Provide transportation and accompany clients using personal or public transportation when necessary.
Engage clients within the scope of practice and knowledge base to support their goals and objectives.
Report changes in clients’ functioning, support networks, living arrangements, financial status, physical health, and self-care to the team and clinically qualified staff.
Use personal experience and successes to promote wellness and hope in the recovery process.
Provide DMH rehabilitation and case management interventions to improve functioning, reduce identified distress or stressors, and build positive community linkages and relationships.
Complete required DMH/Medi-Cal paperwork and maintain documentation in the Welligent Electronic Health Record within prescribed timeframes and according to program standards and Step Up documentation policy.
Meet the billing quota established by the Program Manager.
Perform other duties as assigned or desired with guidance, support, and approval of clinical staff and management.