Peer Support Specialist

Job Details: Job Location: Pasco Saint Andrews Loop - Pasco, WA, Position Type: Part Time, Education Level: High school diploma or GED, Salary Range: $18.36 - $27.54Hourly, Who is Comprehensive Healthcare?
Comprehensive Healthcare provides innovative behavioral health and integrated healthcare services to clients of all ages. We take pride in our creative and collaborative work environment and in delivering clinically excellent, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented services.

What are we looking for in a Peer Support Specialist?
Peer Support Specialist assists clients in exercising control over their lives and recovery process by promoting socialization, self-advocacy, development of natural support and maintenance of community living skills. Shares own life experiences with clients as a supportive service.

Schedule: 20 hours per week (hours to be determined) with one week per month on call.

Peer Support Counselor duties may include:

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUPS:
• Conducts behavioral health groups following Comprehensive Healthcare’s guidelines and policies.
• Leads groups using effective group facilitation skills that promote participation and interaction among group members.
• Utilizes group process to develop insight, practice skills, and motivate client for change.
• Follows lesson plan or curriculum and connects presented material to individual treatment plan goals.

CHILDREN, YOUTH and YOUNG ADULT SERVICES:
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of development in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge and understanding of behavioral health problems in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of and ability to work with issues of confidentiality, consent and capacity.
• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate and coordinate with family, parents, caregivers and community and natural supports.
• Communicates effectively with children and youth of differing ages and developmental levels.

CRISIS EVALUATION/INTERVENTION:
• Utilizes appropriate crisis intervention techniques for client stabilization.
• Accurately screens for risk to self, others, property and the presence of grave disability and makes appropriate referrals.
• Documents and reports and/or notifies as required by law.
• Applies QPRT (Question, Persuade, Refer or Treat) principles in assessing risk and in safety and treatment planning.
• Develops and documents appropriate safety plans.

GERIATRIC SERVICES:
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of normal aging process and age related changes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of neurocognitive disorders and their impacts on functioning.
• Demonstrates awareness of how medical issues can affect mental status.

PEER SERVICES:
• Appropriately shares personal recovery experiences to provide encouragement and support clients in their recovery.
• Models ways to engage with others and increase social supports and develop meaningful relationships.
• Describes personal recovery practices and helps clients discover recovery practices that work for them.
• Educates about and teaches clients on how to access and navigate resources in the community.
• Helps clients to function as an active member of their treatment team.
• Educates family members and other supportive individuals about recovery and recovery supports.
• Shares lived experiences to assist clients in learning how to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and other tasks.
• Provides clients with constructive feedback and motivational strategies in order to assist in their recovery.

SERVICE NOTES:
• Completes all required service notes according to Comprehensive Healthcare’s guidelines, policies and procedures regarding format, content and timeliness.
• Language used in service notes is respectful, clear, descriptive, concise and client-centered.
• Service notes accurately depict treatment modalities and interventions provided within the clinician’s scope of practice and according to treatment plan.
• Service notes accurately reflect and depict client status and progress consistent with assessment and reassessment data, problem statements and treatment plan goals and objectives.

SYMPTOM & MEDICATION RESPONSE MONITORING
• Conducts and documents ongoing assessment of client symptoms and their response to prescribed medications.
• Provides support and education to encourage clients to take medications as prescribed.
• Promotes illness self-management skills to assist clients with medication adherence, identifying warning signs and symptoms, and symptom management skills.
• Monitors medication side effects and facilitates access to, and communication with, medical staff as needed.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must be a self-identified consumer of behavioral health services.
Completion of, or eligibility to complete, the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) Peer Counselor training and certification requirements are required.
Must complete a minimum of 80 hours of Certified Peer Support Specialist training through the Health Care Authority and submit a Certified Peer Support Specialist application through the Department of Health. Requires completion of 1,000 supervised hours as a peer counselor trainee.
Must be eligible for registration as Agency Affiliated Counselor
Must have valid driver's license and vehicle liability insurance
In compliance with state and federal law, Comprehensive Healthcare requires all candidates to complete a post-offer, pre-employment drug screen and background check. Please refer to WAC 388-113-0020 through 388-113-0030 for information on criminal convictions and pending charges that automatically disqualify an individual from working for Comprehensive Healthcare. Please refer to RCW 49.44.240 for information on pre-employment drug screening.

What Comprehensive Healthcare Can Offer You 
Training and Development

A variety of career opportunities in a wide range of settings with room for mobility and promotion
Regular training opportunities including support, supervision, and consultation in implementing evidence-based services and programs
Clinical supervision toward licensure, if applicable

Innovative Program & Services

A strong reputation for providing quality, evidence-based services within a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment 
Innovative, forward-looking leadership that seeks to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment
Joint Commission-accredited organization committed to continuous quality improvement
Established partnerships with major research universities and other community and healthcare providers to implement cutting-edge treatment programs and services

Excellent Benefits

Competitive salaries within our communities and industry
Healthcare coverage for employee and qualified family members
Generous vacation, paid holiday and sick leave policies
Access to Employee Assistance Program services
Agency-funded retirement plan with contributions equal to 5% of compensation
Additional retirement investment opportunities with a 50% investment match of up to 4% of compensation
Agency-funded life and disability insurance program 
Financial incentives to further employee education

Equal Opportunity Employer: Comprehensive Healthcare is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value the diverse perspectives and strengths that our employees bring to the workplace and we encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for our positions. The Human Resources department provides accommodations and assistance to complete the application and interview process; please contact us to make arrangements.