Peer Counselor - Part Time

Job Description

Job Description

Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

POSITION TITLE: New Journeys Peer Counselor – 0.5 FTE, Non-Exempt

RESPONSIBLE TO: New Journeys Program Director

GENERAL FUNCTION:

New Journeys is a coordinated specialty care team that uses evidence-based treatment to provide intensive services to up to 30 individuals aged 15-40 experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

This member of the team has experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and is willing to share their personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and its clients. The Peer Counselor provides expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required to encourage clients to reach their goals. They collaborate to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences. They are responsible for maximizing client choice, self-determination, and decision making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. This includes carrying out rehabilitation and support functions and assisting in treatment, education, and crisis intervention under the clinical supervision of staff with professional degrees.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Work as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team and attend regular team meetings and consultations as relevant to the program
2. Organize and schedule work time to complete assignments and all related paperwork in a timely manner and according to program standards.
3. Attend required program and agency trainings.
4. Attend supervision on a regular basis as scheduled. Accept direction and carry out self-care methods to stay healthy.
5. Act as an interpreter to help clinical team members better understand and empathize with each client’s unique and subjective experiences and perceptions.
6. Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning clients’ experiences of symptoms of mental illness, the effects and side effects of medications, clients’ responses to opinions of treatment, and clients’ experience of recovery.
7. Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
8. Help clients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
9. Help other team members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the team.
10. Help clients develop interests and personal identity outside of the mental health system.
11. Other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. High school diploma required.
2. Two years of paid or volunteer work experience with youth and/or adults with mental illness is highly desired.
3. Completed Peer Certification Training with proof of completion is required.
4. Must have good oral and written communication skills.
5. The Peer Counselor, who is or has been a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness or severe emotional disturbance, should have the self-knowledge needed to manage their mental illness and be well along in their recovery.
6. Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
7. Demonstrated ability to provide culturally competent treatment services to diverse client populations and maintain a cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
8. It is essential that the Peer Counselor has skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with youth and young adults with SMI/SED and respect for clients' rights and personal preferences in treatment.
9. Able to demonstrate initiative and success in providing client-centered interaction, solution-based approaches to learning, motivation techniques, and positive reinforcement skills.
10. Able to demonstrate patience, creative thinking, good decision-making skills, and a willingness to assist clients with achieving treatment plan goals.
11. Able to demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while teaching necessary living skills to clients.
12. Demonstrated ability to be organized and keep accurate and timely records.
13. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a positive team player.
14. Demonstrated good time management skills.
15. Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and ability to transport clients in personal vehicle.

GUIDELINES:

The position requires that the incumbent maintain certification or qualification standards delineated in WAC 246-341, or its successor, and maintain licensure with the Department of Health. The incumbent relies on specialized training and/or equivalent experience in the field of behavioral health treatment, DBHR, WACs and RCWs of Washington, CARF standards, and the performance standards developed for the position.

COMPLEXITY:

The incumbent provides community-based services to patients who differ widely in age and socioeconomic status and who may possess a variety of chronic and serious social, behavioral, and psychological problems. Strong clinical skills, sound judgment, and creativity are required to help implement and deliver treatment services that meet the complex needs of the patients.

PERSONAL CONTACTS:

Contacts are with members of the treatment team, clients, significant others and supports of the clients, representatives of various community agencies specializing in the treatment of substance use and mental health conditions, and related community representatives including hospital personnel, lawyers, probation officers, and other court officials. All personal contacts are carried out in accordance with federal and state laws dealing with the confidentiality of patient records.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, speak clearly, hear, and use hands and fingers to manipulate writing utensils and keys on a keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands or arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or lift and/or move a maximum of 15 lbs. The position requires the ability to travel within the community by private vehicle to meet patients in their own environment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Working hours are spent indoors in offices or other meeting rooms or in the community meeting with patients in their homes, schools, or places of work. Supervision of outdoor activities, visits to community agencies, and participation in staff retreats and staff development activities will be required.

Salary: $20.25 - 26.33/hr DOE

Application Process:
To apply electronically for this position, please click "Apply Now" or visit our ADP career center . For more information on this and other positions, please visit our website at

The Benefits:

Lifeline Connections strives to be your employer of choice by offering our regular/full-time employees a generous benefits package. Our plans cover 85% of medical, dental, and vision costs at the employee level and 75% for all dependent plans. The majority of out-of-pocket costs (i.e. co-pays, prescriptions, and deductibles) under our medical plans are also covered. We also offer other benefits, such as: employer paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and supplemental coverage.

Our full-time employees and some part-time employees also qualify for our 401(K) plan that matches dollar for dollar up to 5%. On top of all that, our full-time employees receive approximately 4 weeks of paid time off during their first year of employment (accrual rates increase with years of service), as well as 1 personal holiday and 12 paid holidays per year!

There are many other supplemental benefits we are glad to offer such as tuition reimbursement and discounted cellular service amongst others.

Send us your resume and let's talk about you joining our team!