Peer Support Specialist - Washington Co. BHRN (Part-Time)

The Peer Company (TPC)

Part-Time Peer Support Specialist – Washington County BHRN Job Description

Pay: $25.00 Per Hour

Schedule: 0.5 PTE (20 hours per week)

Hours and Location:

Mondays & Tuesdays - 9:00AM – 5:00PM, Wednesdays - 9:00AM – 1:00PM

Home Office - 5193 NE Elam Young Pwky. Suite D Hillsboro, OR 97124

Benefits: This is not a benefited position as outlined in TPC Employee Handbook

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Reports to: BHRN Program Manager

Department: EVOLVE Program Director

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. The PSS is a member of interdisciplinary teams participating in collaboratively supporting an individual’s self-defined and self-directed care. The PSS supports the individual being served by creating their own person-directed recovery plan and accomplishing goals towards their self-defined recovery journey plan. They provide a listening, nonjudgmental presence and connect individuals being served with a full range of community resources.

BHRN Peer Support Specialists will be providing peer support via intentional outreach, community partner referrals and/or self-referrals from anyone seeking help for their drug use/addiction issues. This position is community-based serving people in their homes, social service agencies, homeless camps or wherever their peers reside. BHRN peers must drive and schedule independently. This position requires daily local travel. The PSS/CRM will process referrals in Washington County BHRNs and connect the person seeking help with the resources of their choosing.

Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by The Peer Company in accordance with The Peer Company background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with The Peer Company.

Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of The Peer Company's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with The Peer Company's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.

Motor Vehicle Records Search: For positions that require driving, The Peer Company conducts a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) search in accordance with company policy, insurance requirements, and applicable state and federal laws. 

To be eligible for a driving-required position, candidates must meet the following minimum driving standards: 

• No major driving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - DUII, careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, etc.) 
• No more than 3 moving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - speeding, failing to yield, running red light, etc.) 

Experience: 

• Identifies as having lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health challenges. Has at least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery with SUD and/or mental health challenges before employment
• Understands the principles of trauma-informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement

Maintaining Continuous Recovery:

Employees serving in recovery-focused roles who have lived experience with substance use disorder (SUD) must maintain continuous recovery and remain abstinent by not engaging in substance or alcohol use (illegal, legal, and recreational) during their employment with TPC.

Licensure/Certification: 

• Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hire
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Access to reliable personal vehicle required

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Typing and general technology skills to easily and efficiently navigate electronic systems (e.g., email, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
• Ability to push/pull/lift/carry items up to 25 pounds

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company’s values alignment and principles of peer support 
• Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) to support their individualized recovery journey
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions
• Collaborate with other service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant PDPs and recovery journeys
• Attend meetings, as applicable, to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, and advocate for the needs of the participants being served
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service, The Peer Company, and community partners
• Following the direction of the participants served, assist participants in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness
• Travels to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners
• Support participants in crisis by helping them to deescalate and identify next steps in their recovery journey
• Assist participants in identifying and engaging various community resources and supports
• Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables
• Meets TPC’s metric-based performance expectations based on organizational standards and contract deliverables
• Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery
• Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics
• Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
• Complete other relevant duties as assigned

The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.

Employment with The Peer Company is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and The Peer Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with The Peer Company for any set period of time.

The Peer Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at The Peer Company are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.