Peer Bridger

Position Summary

The Peer Bridger engages individuals in psychiatric hospitals to offer support with the discharge and community reintegration process. This position supports clients from their initial crisis contact, through hospital admission and discharge, and for up to 120 days after discharge to assist with establishing care for ongoing mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Engages with individuals in the hospital setting to provide support with community reintegration and connection to services
• Provides services in community settings, inpatient psychiatric facilities, or community behavioral agencies, including crisis follow-up and support and helping clients to navigate the mental health system
• Shares personal recovery history as appropriate to engage client, develop a trusting relationship, promote a sense of self-direction, develop self-advocacy skills, and motivate client toward recovery
• Aids each client to develop a wellness plan that accounts for their goals, preferences, strengths, needs, and interests, and helps the client to successfully manage their life in the community
• Supports clients with developing independent living skills, building a social support system, accessing resources, and exploring employment opportunities
• Supports clients as they transition into ongoing behavioral health treatment, which can include attending appointments, assisting with paperwork, and crisis planning
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with Catholic Charities staff and community resources, coordinates client treatment with other providers, and initiates referrals to medical providers and other community resources when appropriate
• Reports and documents all services in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) as well as other contractually required systems within required timeframes
• Attends all required individual supervision, group supervision, all-staff meetings, clinical training, community meetings, and other trainings as requested
• Promote Catholic Charities programs while meeting with other resources while in the community
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• At least two years’ experience providing peer services
• Self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required
• Willing to share own experiences of mental health recovery
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently and as a collaborative team member with Catholic Charities staff and community partners
• Represent the agency in a professional manner within the community including appropriate professional dress
• Proficient with general office procedures and equipment, including computer usage and standard desktop applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and internet
• Preferred: experience with the state hospital system
• Preferred: experience working with individuals from diverse cultures
• Licensed Peer Support Specialist or Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential from the Washington State Department of Health