Peer Support Specialist Trainee

Peer Support Specialist are an integral member of the MRRCT. MRRCT is a rapid response mobile outreach program, consisting of multiple teams which provide services in homes, hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, and any location the children, youth, families, and adults are located to provided stabilization during crisis events. The goal of MRRCT is to divert individuals from emergency departments, correctional facilities, and inpatient psychiatric admission when there are appropriate community resources available to manage their crisis.

Peer Support Services are scheduled activities that promote and support:

• Recovery and Rehabilitation

• Self-advocacy

• Development of Natural supports

• Maintenance of community living skills

• Self-sufficiency

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: 

• Assist other professionals in the development of treatment interventions and stabilizations for those in an acute crisis situation.

• Provide supportive services, drawing on common experiences as a peer, providing on-going support to all, clients including  children and youth for Child and Youth positions, by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives, and to be active participants in resolving their crisis.

• Identify services and activities that promote recovery by instilling hope and experiences which lead to meaning and purpose and which decrease stigma.

• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client or mental health service defines recovery. Serve as an advocate and provide information and peer support in a range of settings.

• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide support and stabilization services to individuals in a manner appropriate to the individual client, their developmental level supportive of their culture.

• Ensure the individual and their family are heard and their needs are addressed and met.

• Engage with individuals prior to discharge from an emergency department, medical admittance, incarceration and participate (as appropriate) in discharge planning and assisting families as they transition into the community and back to their families.

• Maintain close communication with MRRCT team members and other clinical and administrative staff to ensure the highest quality of services is delivered to the individuals and their support systems.

• Serve as a peer advocate to help empower individuals in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to support stabilizing the crisis.

• Assist individuals in need or in times of crisis by finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate.

• Develop and maintain linkage with community resources that benefit the identified population served.

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

• 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.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

REQUIRED:

1. Self-identify as having one or more years in recovery from a mental health condition, substance use disorder or both.

2. Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health OR:

• If an Applicant does not have an active or pending Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health, then must apply for the Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential within 90 days of start date.

• For more information about Certified Peer Support Specialist Credentials from the WA State Dept. of Health, please visit: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/peer-support-specialist.

3. High School diploma or equivalent.

4. Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, be able to pass a motor vehicle screening and driving test, have active car insurance, and be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work. 

PREFERRED:

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form

• Ability to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner as a team member with program participants.

• Ability to work with individuals from diverse cultures.

• Familiarity with the structure of inpatient behavioral health care facilities preferred.

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-office and within the community at large on a occasional to frequent 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. Occasional frequent 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.