Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - Forensic PATH & HARPS

Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community.  Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues.  As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey.  If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!





WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

• At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission.

• Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

• At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more.

• Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.





Peers will work within both programs as outlined below:

FORENSIC PROJECTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS (FPATH)

The Forensic PATH team works with individuals who have been involved with the forensic mental health system and assists them with identifying, locating and accessing resources within their community. This team works with persons in Region 1 of Washington State (Spokane, Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, and Adams counties). 

• Work with individuals who have been identified by the Health Care Authority as eligible for the program

• Assess needs of individuals and provide case management and assistance in connection to resources

• Assist with access to employment and educational services

• Staff are SOAR-trained and assist with Social Security benefits application

• Utilize Client Support Funds for basic needs or to assist with engagement to resources

FORENSIC HOUSING & RECOVERY THROUGH PEER SERVICES (FHARPS)

The Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (HARPS) Team uses the Permanent Supportive Housing and Housing First model to offer housing assistance to individuals who meet the definition of Trueblood Class Members. Participants are provided with meaningful choice and control of housing and support services. The team provides case management to participants with an emphasis on enhancing access to and retention in permanent supportive housing.

Services include:

• Person-driven housing exploration

• Landlord outreach and engagement

• Employment services

• Activities of daily living services

• Social and interpersonal relationships and leisure time

Participants have access to short-term housing bridge subsidies to reduce barriers and increase access to housing options. The team links participants to long term providers including mental health and substance use treatment providers, foundational community supports, and other providers as appropriate.

Peer Support Specialists promote community integration, resiliency and quality of life objectives with clients and/or family members. When appropriate and helpful to the client, Peer Support Specialists share relevant personal experiences that foster hope, resiliency and decrease stigmatization of mental illness.  Peer Support Services are provided to individuals and families of all ages. These services may be provided on an individual or group basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. 

• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist other FBH team members in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients enrolled in mental health services.

• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to clients, parents, caregivers, and natural/community supports by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives.

• Identify services and activities that promote recovery and resilience, assisting clients to identify strengths, recognize successes, and to build hope.

• Mentor clients to build self-advocacy skills, navigate health systems, build natural supports, and find meaningful activities that promote a sense of purpose, structure and inclusion in the community.

• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client and/or mental health service provider defines recovery.

• Mentor clients to explore networking through existing advisory groups and client-run organizations; if applicable, help clients become involved as an advocate for others.

• Provide individual and group services (appropriate to scope) for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups

• Mentor clients to build and maintain community living skills and access community resources;

• Support clients who are pursuing educational, vocational, or volunteer services;

• Engage with assigned clients prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate in discharge planning, as directed and assigned, and accompany clients as they transition into the community as appropriate.

• Assist clients in need or in times of personal crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate.

• Contact clients referred by a clinician that are not attending scheduled appointments in order to identify barriers and problem solve solutions to client attendance.

• Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services.

•  Engage with various community partners as stipulated in contracts and within the program design.

• Partner with team members to review cases, gain consultation and co-facilitate groups.   

• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and practices.

• Provide after-hours coverage on a schedule rotation, if applicable.

• Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites either via FBH owned Vehicles and/or personal vehicle.

• Other duties as assigned.

FORENSIC HARPS:

• Create a Care Plan that is specific to acquiring and maintaining housing.

• Contact the individual no later than one calendar day, utilizing mobile crisis teams when FHARPS is not available.

• Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based housing plan inclusive of action steps for housing-related issues. The individual would set goals and develop a housing plan with the assistance of the peer.

• Assist with completion of required paperwork for tenancy.

• Share lived experiences to support the individual in the housing process.

• Complete the Enhanced Certified Peer Counselor training offered through the Health Care Authority.

PREFERRED:

• Two years' experience working in a community behavioral health setting. 

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position provided client services in community settings on a daily basis.  Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large.

• Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.

• Daily travel between locations is required.

• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.

• Daily use of a computer is required.

• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds. 

• Blood-borne Pathogen Category III - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.





PAY INFORMATION:

1. Applicants will be hired as a Certified Peer Support Specialist, if at the time of offer, has an ACTIVE Certified Peer Support Specialist Credential from the WA State Dept. of Health

2. Applicants will be hired as a Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee, if at time of offer, the Applicant has an ACTIVE Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential from the WA State Dept. of Health.

​3. Applicants will be hired as a Peer Support Specialist Trainee, if at time of offer, the Applicant:

• Has not yet applied for either the Certified Peer Support Specialist or the Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential with the WA State Dept. of Health. OR

• Has a PENDING Certified Peer Support Specialist Credential from the WA State Dept. of Health OR

• Has a PENDING Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential from the WA State Dept. of Health.

4. Pay is based on whether an Applicant is hired one of the three credential options listed above.

PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt):

• Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE- $20.79-$25.33

• Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE- $20.79-$25.33

• Certified Peer Support Specialist: - $22.00-$26.81

All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus, the starting pay for these positions are:

• Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE: $20.79

• Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE: $20.79

• Certified Peer Support Specialist: $22.00





Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing!

​WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE:

• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue up to 26 days of PTO in the first year of employment!

• Plus 9 Paid Federal Holidays!

• Sick Leave – Extended Sick Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Time.

• Some positions qualify for a Compressed Workweek option resulting in up to additional 26 days off per year.

BENEFITS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/benefits 

• Medical, Dental and Vision

• Retirement – We offer an impressive 403b plan including standard 3% employer contribution plus an additional 3% employer match.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance – Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month following 6 months from your date of hire.

PERKS:www.fbhwa.org/careers/perks

• Signing Bonus!

• No-cost licensure supervision for those pursuing clinical licensure.

• Federal and State Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying Programs.

• Reimbursement of License/Certification application fee that is required for the position.

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• Staff Discounts at various FBH partners throughout Spokane!

Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.