Peer Support Specialist - Spokane, United States - Frontier Behavioral Health

    Default job background
    Description

    Frontier Behavioral Health's presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community. Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues. As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey. If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us

    The Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (HARPS) Team uses the Permanent Supportive Housing and Housing First model to offer housing assistance to individuals who meet the definition of Trueblood Class Members. Participants are provided with meaningful choice and control of housing and support services. The team provides case management to participants with an emphasis on enhancing access to and retention in permanent supportive housing.

    Services include:

    • Person-driven housing exploration
    • Landlord outreach and engagement
    • Employment services
    • Activities of daily living services
    • Social and interpersonal relationships and leisure time
    Participants have access to short-term housing bridge subsidies to reduce barriers and increase access to housing options. The team links participants to long term providers including mental health and substance use treatment providers, foundational community supports, and other providers as appropriate.

    Peer Support Specialists promote community integration, resiliency and quality of life objectives with clients and/or family members. When appropriate and helpful to the client, Peer Support Specialists share relevant personal experiences that foster hope, resiliency and decrease stigmatization of mental illness. Peer Support Services are provided to individuals and families of all ages. These services may be provided on an individual or group basis.

    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
    • As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assist other FBH team members in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients enrolled in mental health services.
    • Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to clients, parents, caregivers, and natural/community supports by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives.
    • Identify services and activities that promote recovery and resilience, assisting clients to identify strengths, recognize successes, and to build hope.
    • Mentor clients to build self-advocacy skills, navigate health systems, build natural supports, and find meaningful activities that promote a sense of purpose, structure and inclusion in the community.
    • Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client and/or mental health service provider defines recovery.
    • Mentor clients to explore networking through existing advisory groups and client-run organizations; if applicable, help clients become involved as an advocate for others.
    • Provide individual and group services (appropriate to scope) for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups
    • Mentor clients to build and maintain community living skills and access community resources;
    • Support clients who are pursuing educational, vocational, or volunteer services;
    • Engage with assigned clients prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate in discharge planning, as directed and assigned, and accompany clients as they transition into the community as appropriate.
    • Assist clients in need or in times of personal crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate.
    • Contact clients referred by a clinician that are not attending scheduled appointments in order to identify barriers and problem solve solutions to client attendance.
    • Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services.
    • Engage with various community partners as stipulated in contracts and within the program design.
    • Partner with team members to review cases, gain consultation and co-facilitate groups.
    • Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and practices.
    • Provide after-hours coverage on a schedule rotation, if applicable.
    • Other duties as assigned.
    Additionally, the Forensic HARPS Peer Support Specialist has these duties as well:
    • Create a Care Plan that is specific to acquiring and maintaining housing.
    • Contact the individual no later than one calendar day, utilizing mobile crisis teams when FHARPS is not available.
    • Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based housing plan inclusive of action steps for housing-related issues. The individual would set goals and develop a housing plan with the assistance of the peer.
    • Assist with completion of required paperwork for tenancy.
    • Share lived experiences to support the individual in the housing process.
    • Complete the Enhanced Certified Peer Counselor training offered through the Health Care Authority.
    QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL HAVE:

    REQUIRED:
    • The Peer Support Specialist position requires the individual to have lived experience with mental illness and self-identify as a current or former recipient of mental health services, and have been in mental health and/or substance use disorder recovery for at least one year.
    • Certification as a Peer Counselor consistent with WAC ; required within 90 day of employment.*
    • Must apply for Agency Affiliation within 30 days of hire.
    • High School diploma or equivalent.
    PREFERRED:
    • One-year experience working as a Certified Peer Counselor in Washington State or other state equivalent; or two years' experience working in a community behavioral health setting.
    *There is not an education requirement to attain certification as a Peer Counselor; however, rate of pay will be based on the Peer Support Specialists' education level as follows:
    • Peer = No secondary education degree, Associate degree: or three years of experience as a Certified Peer Counselor; or bachelor's or master's degree in unrelated field in lieu of AA degree, Bachelor's degree in behavioral health related field.
    • Peer Sr. = Master's degree or higher in behavioral health related field.
    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
    • Must have reliable transportation, insurance and an active drivers' license and be willing to use personal vehicle in the course of work.
    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.

    Work is performed in the general community in a variety of settings and in office settings. Physical requirements include use of computer for four to eight hours per day, driving, climbing stairs, walking outdoors on a variety of surfaces. May be required to lift pounds. Work may be performed out of office and travel may be needed to outside areas. Blood-borne Pathogen Category III - No exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

    PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt): Depends on degree level as noted below:*

    Peer - No secondary education degree, Associate degree: or three years of experience as a Certified Peer Counselor; or bachelor's or master's degree in unrelated field in lieu of AA degree, Bachelor's degree in behavioral health related field. - $22.00-$26.81.

    Peer Sr. - Master's degree or higher in behavioral health related field - $ $29.16

    *All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus, the starting pay for this position is as follows:

    Peer - $22.00 per hour.

    Peer Sr. - $23.94 per hour.

    WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

    * At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee's contribution to our mission.

    * Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

    * At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more. Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.

    *Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing
    • BENEFITS
    • PERKS
    Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.