Direct Support Specialist

At New Narrative, we believe mental health care is community care. As a nonprofit organization, we partner with individuals to promote healing, housing stability, and long-term wellness through compassionate, equitable support.If you’re passionate about community impact, we invite you to join our team.SHIFT: Sunday-Thursday 3:00pm - 11:00pmPurpose:The Direct Support Specialist is a member of the Rosebud Supportive Living Program and provides support to foster youth ages 16-18 years old. The goal of the Rosebud program is to create a safe environment for youth to develop skills for independent living and overall wellness. The Direct Support Specialist will provide environmental and milieu management support to ensure a safe, trauma informed, equitable and inclusive environment. This position requires on-site work at all times.Accountabilities:Milieu Management and Participant SupportProvide direct support in one-on-one or group setting.Conduct guest check-in and redirect/remove individuals who are not program participants if there is disturbance/disregard for program rules.Provide crisis response and de-escalation as needed. Ability to utilize emergency services (ie. Police, Project Respond, etc) as needed.Maintain the cleanliness of common areas and employee office.Engage with youth throughout shift and during times of crisis, difficulty sleeping, mental health concerns, etc.Ensure that the living and office spaces are clean, orderly, and safe at all times.Distribute medications in accordance with physician orders and document all medication distribution in line with policies.Provide coverage to ensure program ratio requirements are met.Skill-building SupportWilling to meet and engage with people “where they are,” including their environment, time of night, and readiness for change.Use trauma-informed, person centered approach and language and participate in ongoing training and education.Assists participants with daily living skills such as completing household and hygiene tasks, medication prompts, and connection to treatment and support team for additional support.Support youth through coping with mental health concerns, sleep hygiene, schedule management, etc.Assists participants with self-identified goals and in support of existing treatment plans from providers.Assists participants with completion of cleaning and laundry as necessary.Support participants in accessing healthy meals and kitchen clean up as necessary.Support youth with transportation, food preparation, grocery shopping, etc. as needed and ensure that materials are readily available for skills training groupsCrisis Prevention/De-escalation/Harm ReductionProvide crisis response and de-escalation in a community based setting.Use crisis prevention approach to decrease use of crisis services, Project Respond, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.Ability to work in collaboration with emergency services (ie. police, Project Respond, Multnomah County Crisis, Behavioral Health Unit) as necessary.Ability to work in collaboration with acute care settings if necessary.Must be able to assist in de-escalation and crisis as needed.Support harm reduction approach, linkage to resources such as, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.Documentation/ExpectationsComplete documentation and data entry in Electronic Health Record as required by contract within 24-72 hours.Maintain a regular work schedule.Complete all other assignments in a timely manner as requested by supervisor.Supervision Received:Receive regular supervision at least once per month, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary.Direct Support Specialists working on the swing shift will report to the Rosebud Program Manager for regular supervision.Direct Support Specialists working on the overnight shift will report to the Rosebud Weekend Supervisor for regular supervision.Other General Expectations:Ability to engage with youth through shared interests, hobbies, language, and experiences.Uphold New Narrative Mission and Values in all interactions.Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and establish priorities as a group.Ability to work independently.Demonstrate initiative and openness to learning/implementing new skills.Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude and maintain unconditional positive regard.Creative, innovative and progressive problem-solver.Ability to multi-task and remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies in line with contract requirements for training.Follow all New Narrative policies, procedures, and protocols.Follow through on all directives and instructions.Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.Must be able to pass a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services.Core Competencies:Communication : Clear, direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others.Teamwork : Effective at working in team situations.Utilizing available resources for personal wellness : Communicates with Supervisor or other designated New Narrative personnel to meet personal wellness and safety needs.Adaptability : Ability to modify or change service delivery as needed to best fit the needs of program participants and New Narrative valuesAnalytical thinking : Attention to detail over sustained periods of time.Dependability : Counted on to follow through on commitments: at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.Aptitude : Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes and procedures, or training.Demeanor : Remaining calm in crisis situation, empathetic, unbiased, non-judgmental and excellent peer model skills.Qualifications:Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferredPersons of color and all genders encouraged to applyMust maintain current Oregon driver’s license and insurance. Must have own reliable vehicle to support participants in the community.Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.All of our job openings are located in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding metro areas. #J-18808-Ljbffr New-Narrative