Peer Support Specialist - HS042

About the role

The VASH Continuum Peer Support Specialist functions as a fully integrated member of the housing team to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by participants to have a satisfying life. They collaborate to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands and respects each participant's point of view, experiences and preferences within the context of Native American/Alaska Native culture. They provide peer counseling and consultation to Veterans and their families receiving services through the VASH Continuum project, and team staff; act as a liaison with community resources; carry out support functions; and assist in behavioral health services, education, support and consultation to Veterans, and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.

Responsibilities

• Openly identify as a Veteran who has lived the experience of receiving behavioral health services.
• Act as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a consumer perspective to the entire team concerning each participant’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
• Provide practical help and supports, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side by side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance and supervision to help participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI, SSDI, veterans’ benefits); money-management services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
• Increase awareness of and support participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Aid in the provision of ongoing assessment of VASH Continuum participant’s support service needs and suggest appropriate changes in service plans to ensure that appropriate services are provided in response to changes in needs, including behavioral health needs.
• Aid in the provision of direct clinical services to participants on an individual, group and family basis in community settings to teach symptom-management techniques and promote personal growth and development.
• Teach nutrition education and assistance with meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
• Ensure that participants have adequate financial support (help to gain employment and apply for entitlements).
• Teach money management skills (budgeting and paying bills) and assist participants in accessing financial services.
• Help participants to access reliable transportation (obtain a driver’s license and car, arrange for medical transport, use public transportation, find rides).
• Aid and support participants to have and effectively use a personal primary care physician, dentist and other medical specialists as required.
• Organize and lead individual and group social and recreational activities to help participants structure their time, increase social experiences, and provide opportunities to practice social skills and attend cultural activities.
• Maintain appropriate and timely documentation as needed, and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Actively seek information and trainings to maintain professional level skills.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a Veteran who has received behavioral health services.
• Experience working with Veterans and their families.
• Ability to provide peer counseling and consultation.
• Knowledge of Native American/Alaska Native culture.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide practical help and supports, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side by side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance and supervision.
• Proficiency in providing symptom-management techniques and promoting personal growth and development.
• Experience in teaching nutrition education and assisting with meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
• Experience in providing financial support and money management skills.
• Experience in organizing and leading social and recreational activities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to actively seek information and trainings to maintain professional level skills.

Qualifications

Candidates should have the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of relevant experience in behavioral health or related field.
• Current certification in peer support specialist or similar role.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Skills

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of Native American/Alaska Native culture.
• Ability to provide peer counseling and consultation.
• Experience in providing symptom-management techniques and promoting personal growth and development.
• Experience in teaching nutrition education and assisting with meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation.
• Experience in providing financial support and money management skills.
• Experience in organizing and leading social and recreational activities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to actively seek information and trainings to maintain professional level skills.

Benefits

NARA Northwest offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible work schedule.

Pay

The wage range for this position is $21.58 - $29.24 non-exempt, hourly.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm.