Certified Peer Specialist

TOWNHOME HEALTH

Peer Specialist/Peer Specialist Per Diem

Reports to

Assistant Director /Program Director

Credentialing

Certified Peer Specialist - Provisional or Full; individuals enrolled in APS training leading to CPS

Schedule

Full-time and per diem; Day (8:00 AM-4:00 PM), Evening (4:00 PM-12:00 AM), Overnight (12:00 AM-8:00 AM)

Job Purpose and Summary

Our Residential Crisis Support Center (RCSC) is a peer-staffed and trauma-informed residential program that functions as a short-term alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for individuals experiencing a mental health and/or emotional crisis. The Peer Specialist/Per Diem will have experience as a recipient of mental health services with a willingness to share personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program enrollees.

The Peer Specialist will practice according to the principles of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed service delivery and will have primary responsibility for the engagement and support of crisis respite center guests.

Participants, referred to as guests, receive recovery-oriented services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for up to 28 days. The RCSC supports guests with managing their crisis in a supportive and nurturing environment while retaining their individuality and freedom. Peers are integral in supporting people during a personal crisis, helping individuals learn how to view crises differently and how to use wellness tools to decrease the intensity of a current crisis and/or prevent future crises.

The primary role of RCSC employees is to create a respite from extreme emotional distress through the promotion of a non-judgmental, supportive, friendly, and engaging environment. Designed to promote self-determination and hope, peer-delivered services and supports include peer support, service and goal planning, wellness education, skill-building opportunities, and identification of and engagement in community-based resources, including health care services.

Essential Job Functions

· Present as a role model for guests seeking recovery and support, including but not limited to modeling effective coping techniques.

· Comply with professional and ethical standards.

· Develop a partnership with guests experiencing crisis utilizing trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and client-centered intentional peer support.

· Promote the provision of a safe, comfortable, secure, and trusting environment where guests are listened to and respected by staff.

· Network effectively with mental health and other treatment and resource providers to build integrated support systems and establish mutual relationships.

· Assist with pre-registration, registration, and intake of new guests, including an explanation of services and expectations, a tour of the premises, and introductions to staff and guests.

· Assist and collaborate with coworkers to help guests identify, plan for, and establish short-term personal goals and priorities while in the RCSC.

· Facilitate individual- and group-based educational, recovery, wellness, and skill-building opportunities, including wellness self-management, WRAP, peer support, harm reduction, and other social or leisure activities.

· Assist guests in identifying relevant community-based resources, making informed decisions about participation, and engaging in meetings, appointments, and activities through linking, support, and accompaniment.

· Advocate for and facilitate access to needed health care services, proactively addressing potential barriers such as missed appointments, transportation, fear and stigma, and communication with professional staff.

· Assist guests with steps required to prepare their own meals, manage their own medication, take care of their physical needs, and participate in maintaining a clean living environment.

· Provide household upkeep duties as needed.

· Demonstrate willingness to learn and utilize various approaches to assist guests in achieving goals.

· Meet regularly with the supervisor and demonstrate active involvement in supervision through constructive participation, initiative, and observable progress.

· Attend all meetings and other official functions as required.

· Maintain compliance with mandated trainings as assigned.

· Provide flexible evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage.

· Meet standards for documentation process and content.

· Respond adaptively and remain focused in a rapidly changing programmatic, electronic, and compliance environment.

· Draw on knowledge and skills acquired from personal experience with the mental health system with a focus on each guest's personal recovery process.

· Create a sense of community through mutual sharing of lived experiences and encouragement and support to participate in daily activities within the RCSC and community.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

· High school diploma or equivalent required.

· Completion of, or active enrollment in, Academy of Peer Services (APS) training leading to Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credentialing; candidates with provisional or full CPS credentialing are eligible.

· Personal lived experience as a recipient of mental health services and a willingness to appropriately use and share that lived experience to support guests in their recovery process.

· Ability to provide peer support using recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and client-centered principles and to maintain professional and ethical boundaries.

· Ability to complete required documentation accurately and on time and to maintain compliance with all assigned trainings and program requirements.

· Ability to work a flexible schedule, including day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday coverage as needed.

· Must be able to reliably commute to the assigned work location within approximately one hour under normal commuting conditions.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Crisis Intervention Staff/ Peer Support: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• APS certification (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Portland, OR 97239 (Required)

Work Location: In person