Parent Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - WISe Program - Parent Peer

This is a specialized position requiring a willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with other clinical staff assigned to the WISe Team. The WISe Parent Peer provides targeted support services and assists in the provision of a system of care that is child-centered, with the needs of the child and family determining the types and mix of services provided, to assist in preventing an out-of-home placement.

To be effective, the WISe Parent Peer will work with children in their homes and communities and incorporate the entire family in the treatment program, focusing on their strengths as well as the child's age and cultural heritage. The WISe Parent Peer will need to maintain close communication with other WISe team members and other clinical and administrative staff to assure the highest quality of services is delivered to the youth consumer and their family.

This position requires a willingness to be part of an on-call supervisor rotation, including weekends and evenings, for support and consultation of crisis calls with the on-call WISe clinical provider.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist clinicians in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients seeking mental health services.
• Provide supportive services, drawing on common experiences as a peer, providing on-going support to all WISe team family members by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives, and to be active participants in their child's episode of care.
• Identify services and activities that promote recovery by instilling hope and experiences which lead to meaning and purpose and which decrease stigma in the environments in which they serve.
• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client or mental health service defines recovery.
• Serve as a client advocate and provide client information and peer support in a range of settings.
• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide peer support and case management services to individuals in a manner appropriate to the individual client and WISe team needs.
• Provide appropriate individual and group services for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups.
• Ensure each WISe child/family is heard and their individual family needs are being addressed and met.
• WISe Parent Peer will be committed to ensuring that parents have a voice in the youth's care and are active participants in the WISe process.
• Serve as a peer advocate to help empower families in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to guide and actively participate in their child's treatment.
• Develop and maintain linkages with community resources that benefit clients.
• Engage with clients and families prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate (as appropriate) in discharge planning and assist families as they transition into the community and back to their families.
• Assist families in need or in times of crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate.
• Work with youth and families in preparation of graduating from WISe services.
• Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualified Candidates Will Have

Required:

• The parent or legal guardian of a youth who is receiving or has received behavioral health services.
• 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.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must have an unrestricted and valid driver's license, active car insurance and must be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work.

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 provides 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.