Community Peer Provider

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position is based at Kerns Building located in NE Portland, OR, but work is primarily performed in the community. This is a part-time position, typically hours are between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends availability needed as necessary.

Position: Community Peer Provider
Program: Forensic Assertive Community Treatment

Cascadia's Mission and Vision

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life.

Position Description: The Community Peer Provider works both independently and as part of a team to deliver peer support services to assigned individuals. This role involves providing support in program settings, the community, and individual homes while collaborating with the treatment and service team to ensure high-quality, person-centered services.

This position must understand, appreciate, and respect the differences within our Cascadia community.   As such, it is expected that this position promotes integrated care, our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of acceptance.

Essential Responsibilities

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary. 

General

• Act as a role model for empowerment, self-determination, and self-advocacy, sharing personal recovery experiences when appropriate.
• Engage with individuals using strengths-based tools and harm reduction principles.
• Assist individuals in identifying personal goals for care and support plans, ensuring continuity of services in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Provide therapeutic interventions in various settings as directed by the mental health treatment plan.
• Support community building and the development of natural support systems for individuals.
• Assist individuals secure benefits, mental health services, addiction treatment, medical services, emergency assistance, and housing.
• Create opportunities for socialization and community connections.
• Offer individual and group support in life skills, holistic wellness, self-care, hygiene, and resource navigation.
• Accompany participants to community appointments and assist with learning public transportation systems.
• Provide coaching and emotional support to assist individuals with housing stability, neighbor relations, and conflict resolution.
• Create and maintain cooperative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) practices as part of service delivery team and in alignment with Cascadia and program’s current level of FIT implementation.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Comply with and implement regulations, policies, and procedures under which the program operates.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment.  
• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Document and maintain clinical records in a manner that ensures compliance with all agency policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations, as well as billing requirements. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation as required, associated with assessment, treatment, progress, and other activities.  Complete electronic medical records (EMR) as required using Cascadia software.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of those served.
• Understand fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

Required:

• Traditional Health Worker (THW) Peer Support Specialist Certification.

Preferred:

• Traditional Health Worker (THW) Peer Wellness Specialist Certification.

Experience:

Required

• Must self-disclose as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services, with personal recovery experience.

Preferred:

• Experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges and/or individuals experiencing homelessness.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Understanding and integration of Peer Support values
• Knowledge of assertive engagement, recovery models, harm reduction and motivational interviewing
• Well-developed coping skills and strategies to manage unpredictable circumstances
• Proficiency in computer operations, including Electronic Health Record software, data entry and report preparation
• Time management and capacity for independent self-motivation
• Ability to adapt and learn from new information.
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Other:

• Employee must possess a valid driver’s license, one year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course.
• Must have access to a reliable mode of transportation to commute around the Portland metro area.
• All client-facing positions must have the ability to perform Basic Life Support (BLS) and properly use AED equipment. BLS certification training will be provided within the first 60 days of hire. Certification must remain current.

Working Conditions

Environmental: This role is centered on direct client and community engagement; it is designed for in-person work and does not include hybrid or remote work options.

Work is performed in one or more of the following: clinical office, acute care settings and community setting including client residences, correctional facilities, shelters, hospitals, public places and other social service sites. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants. Ability to work some weekends, evenings, and provide on call support to assigned team.

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach. In addition, this position requires exercising sound judgment.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, contact us at 503-963-7654.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution!)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)