PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Peer Support Specialist

This position will have a history of mental health or substance use issues and will have received services at some point in their history. This position will share their life experiences in the work with Community Counseling Solutions (CCS) client. This position will understand and respect each clients point of view, experiences and preferences, and work with other CCS staff to maximize client choice, self-determination and decision making in the planning and delivery of treatment. They will provide peer counseling and consultation to individuals, families and other staff as needed. They will also provide rehabilitation and support functions as needed.

Supervision Received: Depending upon location, this position is supervised by the Peer Support Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised: This position does not supervise other employees.

Responsibilities:

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, validate clients' experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to client to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery; serve as a mentor to clients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Ensure accurate, timely and complete documentation of all clinical documents and subsequent data entry when required.
• Help clients and family members identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self –stigma. Increase awareness of and support client and family participation in consumer self-help services and programs.
• Assist the supervisor to help organize and lead rehabilitative individual and group activities.
• When requested, participate in clinical meetings to discuss client progress and goals.
• Participate as requested in clinical supervision.
• Provide support to clients who are in crisis by spending time with them in their home or while at an emergency room or office setting. Provide peer support services, working in tandem with clinicians, until the crisis is resolved or alternative placement options are secure.
• Provide transportation to clients when clinically recommended to assist client in access to services.

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience: No minimum education or experience required.

Certifications: This individual will have attended a peer support conference/training. Individual will work toward Peer Certification in Oregon.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must have the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with team members, co-workers, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to represent CCS within the community and at State or regional meetings, including the ability to speak in public.
• Knowledge, understanding and willingness to adhere to confidentiality laws and expectations.
• Must be able to work independently, without constant and strict supervision.
• Must posses conflict resolution skills.
• Ability and willingness to be at work on time and follow direction from a supervisor.
• Must have good typing skills, have knowledge of basic office software programs and ability to effectively use such software.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats. Must have the ability to present and exchange information internally across teams and co-workers, and externally with customers and the public. Information communicated ranges from routine/basic to complex and confidential information.

Criminal Background Checks: Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380.

In addition to a pre-employment background check, each employee, volunteer and contractor shall be checked on a monthly basis against the OIG and GSA exclusion lists, as well as other federal and state agency lists. If it is discovered that an employee, volunteer or contractor is excluded or sanctioned it will be the cause for immediate termination of employment, volunteering, or the termination of the contract.

Pre-Hire Drug Screen Required

Personal Auto Insurance: Must hold a valid driver's license as well as personal auto insurance for privately owned Vehicles utilized for CCS business such as client service purposes, travel between business offices and the community, to attend required meetings and trainings.

Must show proof of $300,000 or more liability coverage for bodily injury and $100,000 or more liability coverage for property damage, and maintain said level of coverage for the duration of employment at CCS.

The employee's insurance is primary with CCS insurance being secondary. CCS reserves the right to deny any employee the use of a vehicle owned by CCS.

Physical Demands: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use office automation including computer and phone system that requires fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching. Sitting for several hours reviewing reports and other written materials, and talking on phone. This position may occasionally be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds. Incumbent will occasionally have to reach, bend, kneel and squat when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.

The employee needs to be able participate in vehicle travel between business offices, client homes, in the community, and to attend required meetings and/or trainings.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office environment and in many community settings such as schools, client homes, hospitals, jails, other public agencies and community groups in a variety of locations. The noise level is usually moderate, but occasionally may be exposed to loud noise such as raised voice levels and alarms.

This position is exposed to the everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office (i.e., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and electrical shock).

Community Counseling Solutions IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER