The Peer Support Specialist self-identifies as a person with living with mental illness and is willing to utilize their personal experience, knowledge, and insight to benefit clients and the team. The Peer Support Specialist will empower clients living with serious and persistent mental illness to identify goals that promote recovery, while providing the support necessary to accomplish them. The Peer Support Specialist will be expected to work with a diverse population and must be sensitive to the culture, religion, language, age, gender, and sexual orientation of the population served. Part-Time 32 hours, four days a week.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
1) Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to provide guidance and empowerment to clients to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
2) Assists in the development and implementation of treatment plans to assist clients to develop the skills necessary to successfully live and work more independently in the community.
3) Assist in providing ongoing assessment of clients’ mental health symptoms and response to treatment.
4) Facilitates or co-facilitates therapeutic and recreational groups and activities, including WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan.)
5) Educates clients regarding the role and benefits of medications.
6) Develops healthy and effective working relationships with clients.
7) Assists in assessing and addressing of clients' health care needs and substance abuse issues.
8) Assists in crisis intervention and de-escalation including consulting with agency staff regarding dangerous or problematic situations.
9) Assists clients in developing daily living skills on an individual or group basis. These activities may include but is not limited to: transporting and accompanying clients grocery shopping, assisting and supporting clients in carrying out personal hygience and grooming tasks or completing household activities such as laundry and keeping their living space or apartment in acceptable condition.
10) Works with Case Managers to encourage and assist clients in obtaining and supporting employment, education, or volunteer activities.
11) Accompanies and transports clients to necessary medical or dental appointments or assists in arranging alternative transportation.
12) Documents services in the DAP format in the agency’s electronic health record.
13) Assists clients in acquiring or retaining medical and financial benefits, as needed.
RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY AND CO-WORKERS
1) Contributes to cooperative working relationships with clinical teammates and with supervisors, and other staff within the agency.
2) Solicits and provides case consultation and coordination as needed.
3) Presents a positive professional image of the agency to referral sources, other service providers, neighbors and the larger community.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Peer Specialist must be Peer Specialist Certified, and have a least two years of paid or volunteer work experience with adults living with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The position requires state Agency Affiliated Counselor registration, first aid/CPR training, HIV related training, TB blood test, criminal background and fingerprint ID, valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record in order to drive Agency vehicles. Must have reliable transportation. Must be able to tolerate and work effectively with unruly, unpleasant, or bizarre behavior. Must be able to tolerate possible substance use by clients and support a harm reduction approach to substance use.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The requirements described here are representative of those needed to fulfill the basic requirements of the position. Must be able to walk up and down stairs several times a day and lift up to 30 pounds if needed.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENTSAll staff must provide proof of having been fully COVID-19 vaccinated. The agency follows CDC and Washington State Department of Health’s guidelines in its measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Must be able/willing to wear a mask if needed during an outbreak of Covid19 at the program. Must be willing to work with clients who may be positive for Covid19 and may be unwilling to wear a mask.
BENEFITS
Benefits (pro-rated for part-time) include 22 paid leave days per year of service; 10 paid holidays; medical and dental insurance; long term disability insurance; voluntary participation in one of the agency sponsored 403(b) retirement, or FSA plans.
HOURS
Part-Time 32 hours per week, 4 days per week
SUPERVISED BY
Chief of Clinical Services, Julie Watkins, M.A.
EOE
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $28.68 per hour
Expected hours: 32 per week
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends
Ability to Commute:
- Seattle, WA 98126 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Seattle, WA 98126: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person