Street Medicine Peer Support Worker

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department•Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is seeking a passionate Street Medicine Peer Support Worker to join their Street Medicine Program within the Strengthening Families Division. This is a full-time, project position funded through 12/31/2027, with a starting salary range of $29.23 - $31.30 hourly. The role involves providing essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, including direct work with the unsheltered community, operating outreach vehicles, distributing supplies, and connecting individuals to resources. The position also focuses on building community partnerships with a compassionate and trauma-informed approach. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to work in various weather conditions are essential. This technical classification supports community health promotion and program objectives by coordinating services, providing education, and offering administrative and on-the-ground support for Health Department programs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree.
1 year of experience in a community health, medical office, or community-based organization.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s abstract required prior to employment.
Ability to become Certified Peer Support within the first 8 months.
Ability to become WA Healthplanfinder Navigator Certified within the first 8 months.
Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs, databases, virtual meeting software.
Skilled in marketing principles and presentation techniques for culturally diverse audiences.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and proof-reading skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
Skilled in communication: Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner. Asks questions in ways that enhance the clarity, quality, and reliability of information. Understands and learns from what others say, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Grasps the meaning of written information and applies it to work situations. Conveys ideas and facts using language the audience will best understand, taking into consideration the audience and nature of the information. Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner for the intended audience.
Knowing and managing oneself: Understands that all equity, trauma-informed, and restorative practices start with oneself. Exercises a high degree of self-reflection, personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, and adaptability. Is willing to learn, apply, and model agency values and ethical standards.
Restorative practices and conflict resolution: Articulates through words and actions authentic commitment to create an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal opportunities and impartial treatment. Centers work in equity and trauma informed and restorative practices to achieve and maintain collaboration and teamwork and to effectively work with historically underrepresented and/or underserved populations to advance community health. Utilizes restorative practices to address harm and promote healing to strengthen relationships between individuals and social connections within communities.
Collaboration and engagement: Provides balanced and objective information to help teammates, partners, and the public understand problems, alternatives, opportunities, and solutions. Works directly with partners within the Department, in the community, and members of the public affected by the work to obtain feedback and understand diverse points of view, concerns, and aspirations. Identifies preferred solutions together, incorporating advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible.
Evidence informed practices and decision-making: Applies evidence informed practices and methodologies to achieve the greatest impact in delivery of services to internal and external customers and partners. Incorporates the social determinants of health into public health work. Integrates research and evidence into the decision-making process. Seeks to systematically identify and eliminate inequities resulting in differences in health and in overall living conditions. Utilizes evidence informed practices to increase equity in systems and policy. Creates a robust culture of assessment and evaluation and continuous process improvement.
Cross cultural communication and engagement: Understands that cultural awareness, appreciation, and humility can only occur when you practice curiosity and open-mindedness. Operates with a high level of humility and cultural agility to achieve effective intercultural communication, engagement, and collaboration in the workplace and in the community. Is open to feedback and continuously self-reflects on one’s own actions and responses. Centers personal accountability on the Department’s mission, values, and ethical standards.
Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication, including communicating with dissatisfied or angry individuals.
Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper and operate a telephone, computer mouse and keyboard, and complete a trigger pull motion.
Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies.
Frequently stooping.
Frequently required to perform work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold.
May require walking/traversing up to 1/2 mile (ie: from parking to the booth) at community events while transporting supplies.
Frequently operate a motor vehicle locally in any lighting conditions and various weather conditions, including rain.
Maintain concentration and attention for extended periods of time.
Regularly maintain situational awareness of surroundings to identify and address potential safety issues.
Regularly work effectively in the presence of visual, auditory, or other distractions.
Work effectively when exposed to workplace stressors, such as emotional and/or confrontational individuals.
Learn, recall, and apply specialized information.

Nice To Haves

Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Provides administrative and on-the-ground support for community-based outreach and education activities.
Collects, enters, tracks, and reports program activity data for grants and program delivery measurables.
Assist with scheduling, coordination, and set-up of community-based outreach, events, and education activities.
Provides logistics support for community events, including advertisement, invitations, setting up virtual or in-person meeting spaces, event set up, and note taking.
Attends community events and assists HPC’s in distributing informational materials.
Coordinates with department staff and community partners to gather and maintain accurate program data.
Helps with the development and maintenance of accurate and culturally appropriate resources, training, and promotion materials.
Works with administrative staff to monitor, track, and maintain program-specific supply inventory.
Uses purchasing card to make purchases for assigned program.
Participates in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations.
Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions.
Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury.
Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.
Participates in emergency preparedness activities including the emergency notification system, WA SECURES.
Drives and operates outreach vehicles (cargo van and RV).
Packs, organizes, and distributes supplies.
Connects patients to resources.
Builds and maintains community partnerships.
Ensures a positive, compassionate, and trauma-informed approach to outreach.
Works in all weather conditions while navigating the complexities of homelessness.