Peer Support Specialist/Parent - Part-Time (20hr)

Peer Support Counselor

Lives Change Here! We are GROWING… Columbia River Mental Health Services provides comprehensive behavioral health and recovery services that transform the lives of children, adults and families in the communities of SW Washington. We are the largest and oldest not-for-profit provider of mental/chemical dependency treatment in southwest Washington with 200 employees and a history dating back to 1942.

Our Mission: Providing behavioral health and recovery services that transform the lives of children, adults, and families in the communities of SW Washington.

Why Work Here? CRMHS offers amazing benefits aside from health and wellness (medical/dental/vision etc.) Work life balance benefits: 10 total paid holidays per year, including 3 paid floating holidays available upon hire, generous PTO in the first year which increases annually! Career development: $325 annual allowance for career development and education with an additional 40 hours of paid time off for career development/education! And so many More!

We're searching for a Part-Time employee to join our team, offering roughly 20 hours per week. This role would perfect for someone looking for a second job or supplemental income while supporting the community they live in! Starting Pay Range - $22.50 - $24.24 /hr

Summary: Peers provide support services as part of an integrated team to clients who are involved in treatment services. Provides direct peer support to participants to assist them on their identified goals. The Mental Health Peer Support Counselor is responsible for a wide range of scheduled activities to assist clients in exercising control over their own lives and recovery process (e.g., promoting socialization, self-advocacy, developing natural supports and maintenance of community living skills). The Peer Support will model competency in recovery and ongoing coping skills for other clients. Peer support services may include but are not limited to self-help support groups, telephone support lines, drop-in centers, and sharing of the peer counselor's own life experiences. Services will be provided both in and out of the agency. Transporting and assisting clients to navigate and access community services and agencies are required.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist clients in articulating personal goals for recovery.
• Assist clients in determining the objectives the consumer needs to take in order to reach his or her recovery goals.
• Document in the Individual Service Plan the Peer Services to be provided:
  • A. Assisting clients in determining "Problems.
  • B. Assisting clients in identifying recovery goals.
  • C. Assisting clients in setting objectives.
  • D. Determining interventions based on client's recovery/life goals.
  • E. Observing process clients make toward meeting objectives.
  • F. Understanding and utilizing specific interventions necessary to assist clients in meeting their recovery goals.
• Lead as well as teach clients how to facilitate Recovery Dialogues.
• Assist clients in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups.
• Assist clients in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
• Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups.
• Teach clients how to identify and combat negative self-talk based on their experience.
• Teach clients how to identify and overcome fears based on their experience.
• Support the vocational choices clients make and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety.
• Assist clients in building social skills in the community by accessing community resources and services.
• Assist non-consumer staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible
• Attend treatment team meetings to promote consumer's use of self-directed recovery tools.
• Provide group and individual services to individuals based on the "lived experience".
• Provide outreach services to engage potential and current participants in services.
• Coordinate individual needs and social and health services for program participants with the goal of housing and employment.
• Provide paperwork assistance for the team and Program Manager.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information concerning participants.
• Lead peer support and program orientation groups in conjunction with other team members.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with participants.
• Ability to empathize with the participants' situation as a vehicle for emotional support and to encourage their participation in the treatment process.
• Engage clients through their own recovery journey.
• Bring the clients perspective to meetings and etc.
• Assist individuals to navigate services and systems based on their own experiences.
• Use that navigation as a vehicle to discuss recovery.

Non-essential Job Functions:

• Supports agency mission, goals, and objectives while adhering to agency policies & procedures; HIPAA compliance; safety standards; infection control procedures; TMACT Fidelity standards; and applicable federal/state regulations.
• Document services promptly in the electronic health record (EHR) and additional programs, following fidelity and compliance standards.
• Attend staff and planning meetings as scheduled.
• Maintain communication and cooperative working relationships both within the agency and community at large, while maintaining a high degree of confidentiality.
• Promote client self-determination and recovery through strength & harm-reduction based engagement.

Education, Licensing and Experience:

• High school diploma
• Active certification specializing in WA State Peer Support
• Personal lived experience with mental health recovery and willingness to share this experience appropriately to support others.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong commitment to recovery principles and client-centered care.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team in the field.
• High level of autonomy, flexibility, and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
• Proficient computer skills (EHR systems, outlook, word, excel, etc.)
• Ability to engage peers from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with co-occurring disorders and those experiencing homelessness.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.