Peer Specialist - DBHC

Job Definition

The Peer Specialist/Counselor at DESC's Pioneer Square Clinic is responsible for running the Lew Middleton Drop-In Center for individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illnesses in partnership with two other Peer Specialists, community volunteers, client volunteers and a Peer Supervisor. The position carries a caseload of 15 clients and partners with multi-disciplinary teams, both internally and externally, to support client care and recovery work.

Peer specialists/counselors are individuals who self-identify as persons with mental illness, substance use disorder or lived experience with their own recovery. They are well established in their own recovery and provide expertise that professional training cannot replicate. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment this position will help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and focus on reducing the likelihood of relapse.

Peer Counselor is a temporary position available to qualified individuals who have not yet obtained Washington State Peer Counselor certification. The goal for each individual hired into this position is to complete the Washington State Peer Counselor Training and obtain certification within 1 year of employment at DESC.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with monitoring and day-to-day operations of the Lew Middleton Drop-In Center.
• Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing outreach, engagement and support of on-going case management services to housed and homeless adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Integrate personal experience with mental illness into work with program participants.
• Utilize a recovery-based approach to assist consumers to reach their fullest potential.
• Assist case managers in coordinating consumer supports and linkage, including facilitating access to food, clothing, hygiene services, medical care, community resources and services.
• Plan and facilitate consumer meetings to elicit consumer input regarding mental health program performance.
• Participate in the Bar Review Committee, crisis intervention and safety management tasks.
• Assist consumers with voicing their interests and goals through Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, WRAP and other methods.
• Participate in the planning, organizing and co-facilitating of self-help and educational group treatment services.
• Travel locally to outreach consumers in their homes, shelters, and in the community.
• Work with the case manager to stabilize and maintain consumers in housing, including modeling, teaching, coaching and assisting with apartment upkeep.
• Work with case managers, employment staff, and clients, providing a role model and support for clients interested in gaining and maintaining employment.
• Assess consumers ADL's, working with the case manager and other providers to plan for gaps in the consumers' skill base.
• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences.
• Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical and administrative records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health.
• Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business.
• A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required.
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
• Knowledge of Recovery focused, strengths-based work in mental health.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with consumers and staff from various backgrounds.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for consumers.
• Tolerance of unusual or unpleasant behavior.
• Support for harm reduction approaches.

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services or like industry serving a diverse client/participant population.
• Two or more years' experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist.