Peer Support Specialist - Mid-Columbia Center for Living

Working Title: Peer Support Specialist
Program: Jail Diversion
Pay Range:$21.11 - 25.65 /hourly
Location: The Dalles, Oregon (This position will serve all three counties: Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman County)
FTE: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per Week)
FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

The Peer Support Specialist provides peer support to clients who may be experiencing mental health issues in the community within the Jail Diversion team. This position facilitates contact with providers, assist client in transitioning from jail to community assists with transportation issues, assist and support client in resuming benefits; make appointments with professional agencies. and other issues that may be barriers to accessing treatment and/or support in the community. The Peer Support Specialist provides training in independent living skills, documents client progress and issues, and conducts program outreach as necessary.

Peer Support Specialists work in a variety of programs including intensive case management, housing, jail diversion, community drop-in, and adult mental health. All positions provide services within the scope of the responsibilities outlined below; some may also have program-specific responsibilities.

The following list represents the essential responsibilities of the position. It does not include, however, all of the duties the position may be asked to perform.

Meet regularly with consumers; train consumers in independent living skills and model same behaviors.
Advocate on behalf of consumers and promote self-advocacy; maintain consumer networks in the community. Conduct outreach activities in local communities.
Work alongside team members and other program staff in order to best support the client’s goals.
Communicate with treatment team about problems or concerns; participate in ongoing support network with other Peer Support Specialists. Participate in team meetings with other MCCFL Peer Support Specialists and volunteers.
Actively participate in joint case planning and coordination with internal multi-disciplinary team and agency psychiatrists.
Provide timely and accurate clinical documentation utilizing Agency clinical software system; this includes treatment records, service plans, progress notes and other required documentation. Maintain the integrity of the electronic records system within the scope of practice.
Ensure that safety procedures are followed.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Participate in all team and agency meetings as scheduled.

Qualifying experience and training typically includes a high school diploma or GED. The successful applicant must hold or be able to obtain within a reasonable time frame, an Oregon Health Authority certification as a Peer Delivered Service Provider. Such certification must be current and valid at all times.
Because the services provided by the position are through a peer-to-peer model, preference may be given to individuals who have previous or current involvement as a behavioral health consumer, and/or individuals who possess a “lived” experience dealing with psychiatric disabilities and/or the legal system. Such experience does not, however, in itself constitute a guarantee of employment.
Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 407-007-0200 to 407-007-0370.
Must possess a valid Oregon or Washington Driver's License, maintain an acceptable driving record and be insurable for client service purposes and for travel between business office for meetings and/or trainings. This position must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536 to 181.537, and in accordance with OAR 407-007-0220 to 407-007-0370.

Knowledge:  Knowledge of substance abuse disorder and its progression, knowledge of substance abuse treatment and recovery models and strategies; knowledge of interviewing and group counseling practices and techniques; knowledge of local and regional resources available for client services; knowledge about Severe Persistent Mental Illness and the interconnectedness between substance use and mental health, basic knowledge of mental health evaluation and treatment. 

Skill:  Skill in the use of clinical software systems; skill in the use of standard office software; skill in keyboarding. 

Ability:  Ability to understand and effectively apply the concepts and practices of a trauma-informed philosophy in performing the work. Ability to work within strong professional ethics and rules of confidentiality to provide effective substance abuse disorder assessment, referral, and treatment.  Ability to work with consumers to develop an effective service plan; ability to write and maintain timely and cogent progress notes, service plans, reports and other professional documents; ability to maintain a strong service orientation; ability to organize and execute work effectively under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; ability to speak before groups of various sizes; ability to work with grace and good humor under pressure; ability to work cooperatively with other departments; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, within Sanctuary Model guidelines; ability to establish and maintain harmonious work relationships with co-workers at all levels of the organization, consultants, contractors, community partners, and consumers. 

Leadership Received: 

This position works under the leadership of a Jail Diversion Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Services Manager for Community Support Services.

Physical Demands: 

The Peer Support Specialist must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. While performing the essential duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to use office automation including computer and phone system that requires fine manipulation, grasping, typing and reaching. The employee may be required to sit or stand for several hours at a time, depending on environment and need. This position may occasionally be required to lift up to twenty (20) pounds, and to kneel, reach, bend or squat while in the office or in the community.  

Work Environment:

Work is performed in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties, primarily in community based setting but occurs in various settings, including office environment and other agency stakeholder facilities. The office environment is typically with moderate stimuli and may often result in exposure to increased sensory experiences. Community settings, such as court rooms, Community Corrections, residences, schools, police precincts, respite facilities, hospitals and other public spaces may pose additional risks or discomforts which require safety precautions. The Alcohol & Drug Counselor I is expected to perform work responsibilities in the same settings in which employees are required to work.  The employee should possess a valid driver's license for vehicle travel between business offices in order to attend required meetings and/or trainings.  (An alternate mode of reliable transportation may be acceptable.)  Additionally, the incumbent must be approved to provide transportation for clients using agency vehicles. 

While this description is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the Alcohol & Drug Counselor I position, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary. Job responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate the needs of the individuals served by this agency. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. 

MCCFL provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request accommodation in the recruitment or selection process, please contact human resources at 541-288-4359 or email hr@mccfl.org.

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