Peer Support Specialist - NW Housing Alternatives

Persons of color, LGBTQIA+ and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) offers mental health and/or co-occurring mental health and addiction recovery peer support to individuals residing in Clackamas County as a peer who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model of living in recovery.  

The PSS/CRM position will be a member of the Northwest Housing Alternatives Pathways team. The project will provide ongoing rental assistance and housing stabilization services linked to robust treatment and support services to 30 eligible individuals with mental health concerns in Clackamas County.

The PSS/CRM will work as part of the interagency team to support the enrolled participant to live as independently in the community as possible.  Activities could include but not limited to skills training in money management, budgeting, community navigation, transportation, and areas of daily living.  Peer Support Services can also assist in providing advocacy, development of natural support, nutrition, food preparation, safety planning and in areas of socializing and leisure.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Expectations: MHAAO strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices. Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as each employee of MHAAO.

 

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.  

 

Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with MHAAO.

 

Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of MHAAO's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with MHAAO's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.

 

Experience: It is an essential function of the position to identify as having lived experience of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health challenges and navigating a life of recovery. It is also vital to understand the effect of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of individual needs as well as the principles of recovery, self-direction, and trauma-informed care.

 

Qualities:

• Possess an absolute belief in every peer’s ability to learn, grow and recover.
• Value peers’ right to make their own decisions.
• Value peers as the “experts” in their own lives.
• Possess insight pertaining to personal biases and worldview and how they may interfere with effectively working with individuals representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and life experiences.

 

Licensure/Certification: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification and ACCBO Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) certification is required but may be applied for within 1 month of hire. This position requires at least 2 years of addiction recovery.

 

Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Reliable transportation necessary.

 

Skills:

SPANISH SPEAKING (BILINGUAL) HIGHLY PREFERRED.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Basic computer and keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

 

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support.
• Collaborate with individuals to create a person-directed plan. Person-directed planning tools such as REAL Recovery, MHAAO’s Initial Recovery Exploration, PATH*, MAPS*, and/or other models including assistance with developing their own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)* will be utilized. Training will be provided in the use of these tools.
• Participate in regular peer support supervision sessions. 
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service.
• Meets with peers in the community and/or their homes to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship.
• Following the direction of the individuals served, assist peers in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Assists peers with identifying and engaging various community resources and supports. EVOLVE group support offerings will include but are not limited to peer-led Seeking Safety, SMART Recovery, Peer Zone, and Hearing Voices/Extreme States support groups.
• Assistance and support accessing and navigating mental health/SUD services.
• Introduction and connection with local recovery groups and activities.
• Crisis Support with introduction and connection to the Riverstone Clinic as a crisis resource.
• Support in developing community roles/natural supports.
• Learning and practicing self-advocacy.
• Support with reconnecting/visiting with family/children.
• Addressing basic needs of shelter/housing, food, physical wellness, and entitlements/benefits.
• Support when/where needed in navigating any systems involvement and resource connection.
• Support with physical health related goals and connecting to community resources and programs that work toward this aim.
• Education and employment support.
• Displays a solid understanding of the core values and principles of peer support.
• Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.   Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables.
• Openly identifying as someone who has experienced addiction and/or co-occurring mental health challenges, this individual share their recovery story appropriately while serving as a positive role model for others exploring their own paths to wellness and recovery.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Respects and honors patient rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics.  Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements. 

 

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive.  The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.

 

Employment with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon for any set period of time. 

 

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.