Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

About the Role

The Peer Support Specialist will provide support to outpatient mental health clients who are engaged in mental health services, including clients discharged from subacute/residential mental health treatment or psychiatric hospitalization, those with serious mental health issues, and individuals at higher risk of self-harm and suicidality. The role involves facilitating the development of recovery skills, empowering individuals to direct their own recovery, and supporting the learning and utilization of skills needed to foster recovery.

The Peer Support Specialist will work with a treatment team to promote the goals of the person in services, promote the utilization of natural support systems, and facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self-worth.

Responsibilities

• Direct interactions with clients assigned to peer support services, acting as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences relevant to the recovery process.
• Conduct telephone contacts to support clients, including those struggling with self-harm/suicidality or prone to making harmful decisions, and make reminder calls for assessments, groups, individual sessions, medication management appointments, and other services.
• Provide transportation for clients to appointments, acute care, mental health residential treatment, outpatient services, and other agencies (e.g., Social Security Office, DHS-Aging & Persons with Disabilities) when approved by a supervisor.
• Identify clients' abilities, strengths, and assets, and assist them in recognizing and utilizing these resources.
• Identify barriers to full participation and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Monitor clients in residential/higher levels of mental health care or jail to ensure they remain connected to outpatient mental health services.
• Make referrals to various services (e.g., Food Bank, LINC, primary care, community college, parenting programs).
• Provide case management services as needed.
• Attend program, staff, and supervision meetings.
• Assist clinicians in groups at the office, jail, or other settings, and provide backup for group and treatment activities.
• Help clients develop and connect to community-based pro-social or wellness-oriented recovery activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health system (EHS) within agency timelines.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Perform work in alignment with BestCare’s mission, vision, and values.
• Support the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a culture of open-mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion, and respect.
• Strive to meet program/department goals and support the organization’s strategic goals.
• Adhere to the organization’s Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all relevant policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality per HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes.
• Attend required program/staff meetings and complete assigned training in a timely and satisfactory manner.
• Ensure required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely.
• Work independently and participate as a positive, collaborative team member.
• Perform other organizational duties as needed.

Requirements

• High School Diploma (or equivalent).
• Must meet the Oregon Administrative Rules definition of a peer: “any individual who has similar life experience, either as a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services, or as a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.”
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire.
• Must hold a Peer Support Specialist certification from a State-approved training program or commit to obtaining one within six (6) months of hire (with referral to IPS training by BestCare).
• Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age with no Type A violations in the past 3 years, nor three (3) or more Type B violations).

Skills

• Knowledge of mental illness, substance-use disorder, and persons with disabilities, as well as community resources and recovery programs.
• Ability to effectively engage clients in mental health treatment services in a compassionate and supportive manner.
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook), EHR platforms, databases, virtual meeting platforms, and the internet; ability to learn new or updated software.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and manage crisis situations using verbal intervention skills to de-escalate crises, risk situations, and aggressive behaviors.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively (orally and in writing).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality as required by HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently and as a positive, collaborative team member.
• Ability to function well and use good judgment in crisis situations.
• Ability to manage conflict resolution and respond appropriately to anger, fear, hostility, or violence from others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Priority given to applicants currently certified as a Peer Support Specialist.
• Lived experience and understanding of the unique difficulties faced by those who are transient or experiencing homelessness (preferred but not required).
• Bilingual in English/Spanish (a plus).