PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Peer Support Specialist

As part of the Walla Walla Fire Department (WWFD) Community Assistance Referral Education Services (CARES) Mobile Integrated Health Program, this position will use their own lived experience with recovery, resilience, or navigating health and social challenges to support and empower individuals in our community. Working alongside healthcare providers, firefighters/EMTs, and community partners, the Peer Support Specialist will provide emotional support, mentorship, and resource navigation to improve outcomes for community members and reduce unnecessary emergency service utilization. This position works alongside emergency medical services (EMS) responders to address residents' needs for care coordination, social service resources, and/or crisis intervention. This position may be requested from community partners and/or accompany emergency medical responders to provide overall clinical assessments and referrals to appropriate community services, and/or connect clients to case management services. Must be able and willing to work all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Individuals may be required to wear a uniform in this role. General direction and oversight are provided by the CARES Captain under the guidance of the Deputy Fire Chief.

Employees of the City of Walla Walla are expected to model and foster the City's core values: Service – Integrity – Collaboration – Equity – Leadership - Community. Employees of the City of Walla Walla Fire Department are expected to model and foster the department's core values: Integrity, Ownership, Professionalism, and Compassion.

Build trusting, supportive relationships with program participants based on shared lived experience and recovery principles.

Provide peer mentoring, encouragement, and advocacy to individuals navigating behavioral health, substance use, or other life challenges.

Collaborate with the MIH Program Team to identify participant needs and assist in developing individualized support plans.

Help connect individuals and families to community resources, healthcare providers, and social service agencies.

Support participants in developing self-advocacy, coping strategies, and wellness plans.

Participate in case reviews, team meetings, and community outreach efforts.

Document participant interactions, progress, and referrals in accordance with program guidelines and confidentiality requirements.

Model professional boundaries, ethical behavior, and recovery-oriented practices.

Assist with program development and evaluation to strengthen the MIH team's overall impact.

Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.

May assist in preparing documentation for insurance companies as needed.

Conduct and participate in outreach programs.

Initiate handoffs of patients to appropriate community resources and ensure follow-through on service connection.

Provide current documentation of all contacts and interactions with the appropriate electronic record system.

Serve as a liaison with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, and the community to assist with a focus on addressing individual dependency on emergency services and innovations.

Consult with Case Managers, Supervisors, and other agency professionals regarding patients with complicated issues.

Facilitate the transport and/or transport person(s) in need of assistance to appropriate facilities.

Thoroughly prepare documentation to complete electronic Patient Care Reports (EPCR) that satisfy departmental requirements for medical accuracy, billing information, and legal aspects related to care delivered.

Demonstrate punctual, regular, and reliable attendance which is essential for successful job performance.

Present a positive, professional image; maintain cooperative and effective working relationships; assure excellent customer service with internal and external customers.

Execute assignments, projects, and job responsibilities efficiently and within defined timeframes; work independently and effectively with little direction.

Demonstrate good judgment and employ critical thinking to execute duties, identify issues, seek solutions, and recommend improvements in support of departmental goals.

Provide assistance to staff and higher-level management; participate in resolving operational or interpersonal concerns; participate in training, meetings, and on committees as assigned.

Respect the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Modern office systems and technology, including personal computers and related software (at a minimum MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, FrontPage and similar programs) and common office equipment (e.g., photocopier, facsimile machine and electronic postage machine); Business letter writing, email communications and report preparation; Advanced principles and procedures of record keeping and filing both hard copy and electronic; Policies, rules and regulations of the City and Fire Department, as well as a working knowledge of the applicable national, state and local laws, ordinances and codes; Principles, practices, methods and techniques of basic and advanced emergency medical care and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; Basic principles and practices of organization, administration, training and project management; Medical record and referral systems used by the Fire Department; Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, with individuals and in group settings; Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and confidentiality concerning medical treatment/records; Effectively communicate, build rapport and relate well with diverse populations; Ability to anticipate, analyze, diagnose and solve problems; Possess effective organizational skills; Ability to work under stressful conditions with various personality types and expectations; Be honest and trustworthy; Be flexible and able to quickly reprioritize work and projects when needed; Treat patients with compassion and empathy; HIPPA rules and regulations related to the continuation of care and related State and Federal mandates, including those related to privacy and confidentiality; Symptoms, common mental illness, behavioral and social characteristics, and other manifestations of the disabilities affecting the population served; Counseling practices and techniques consistent with Peer Support Specialist Certification and relevant to the population served.

Business and office machines, including personal computers, typewriters, copiers, FAX machines, printers, scanners, and calculators; Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel; and a variety of other software programs. Medical equipment and supplies that are consistent with current licensure. City vehicle.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, sitting or standing for extended periods of time; intermittent movement, kneeling down, stooping, bending at the waist, walking and lifting up to 20 lbs; regularly lift, shift and maneuver patients who are unable to do these things for themselves, working with people with unknown medical problems; exposure to contagious diseases and blood; working with hostile or abusive individuals; and driving a vehicle for work. Ability to maintain operational situational awareness, including sending and receiving radio communications.

Work is performed in both an office and field environment with routine public contact and occasional contact with distressed individuals. Personal contacts may present moderate stress and threat to personal safety with interactions with victims of violence; may be subject to threat from abusive individuals and may require extended work schedules during periods of emergency services. Work within an emergency medical response environment, which includes exposure to high stress, rapidly evolving incidents, public safety responder culture and norms.

High School diploma or GED, personal lived experience in recovery from behavioral health challenges, substance use, or other relevant life experiences. Strong ability to engage empathetically and build trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Effective communication, listening, and problem-solving skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and experience in the direct treatment of individuals who are acutely and severely mentally ill, those with substance use disorders, and those with comorbidities. Possession of a valid driver's license. Certification as a Peer Support Specialist in Washington State or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Previous experience working in healthcare, social service, or peer support role. Familiarity with local community resources and support systems. Bilingual in Spanish.