Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)

Police Provider Program Outreach Team

PSS/CRM Job Description

PAY SCALE: $25.00 per hour.

(2) FTE: (40 hours per week)

HOURS AND LOCATION:

2 Positions - Mon- Fri 8:00am - 4:00pm

2 Positions - Mon- Fri 10:00am- 6:00pm

This position is out in the field and in all types of weather conditions

BENEFITS: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook

TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST Outreach Team

REPORTS TO: MHAAO BHRC Senior Programs and Operations Director

DEPARTMENT: MHAAO BHRC Peer Program

Persons of color, LGBTQIA and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

This program provides peer support outreach in the Portland downtown area as well as peer support response to calls from law enforcement, primarily Portland Police Bureau (PPB) bike patrol to offer support, service connection and hope to people living outside who may be struggling with substance use, addiction and other mental health issues. The program is part of a broader effort to connect people with lifesaving interventions like detox, basic needs referrals, addiction treatment, mental health, medical care and other supports. When PPB officers encounter someone using drugs in public, they offer them the opportunity to meet with a trained peer support outreach worker. If the person agrees, a peer outreach team is sent to their location. If that person wants services, the outreach worker attempts to connect them to same-day access to care. If same-day care is not available, the peer outreach workers maintain contact to support the person with their services plan, while also working to navigate wait lists and other barriers to get them access to care as quickly as possible.

Additional support will include helping connect people experiencing homelessness access the BHRC day center; enter shelter; develop trusting relationships with their medical or behavioral health home; and access food and material resources.

Requirements: MHAAO Requires that candidates with lived SUD experience have a minimum of 2 years continuous recovery prior to date of hire.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.

Background Check: A background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy. A candidate must successfully pass the background check before being hired. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with MHAAO.

Experience: Identifies as having lived experience of recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges). Must have 2 years of continuous addiction recovery. Experience working with adults with mental health and addiction challenges preferred. Understands the potential effects of trauma on health. Understands the principles of recovery, consumer-involvement and trauma-informed care.

Qualities:

• Possess an absolute belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow and recover.
• Value a person’s right to make their own decisions.
• Value people as the “experts” in their own lives.
• Possess insight pertaining to personal biases and worldview and how they may interfere with effectively working with individuals representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and life experiences.

Licensure/Certification: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) certification and MHACBO Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) certification is required but may be applied for within 3 months of hire. This position requires at least 2 years of addiction recovery.

Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Have reliable transportation preferred.

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.

Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides 1:1 peer support.
• Participate in the development of health and recovery goals with people. Support people to reduce barriers and achieve goals.
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions.
• Attend and participate in Police Provider Program outreach team meetings, with the goal of identifying best practices and continuously improving the quality of outreach initiatives.
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team in the delivery of services to participants.
• Computer literacy is a vital component of this role. Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Internet programs.
• Attend staff meetings as applicable to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the individuals being served.
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service.
• Meets with peers in unsanctioned encampments and/or their temporary place of shelter/residence to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship.
• Following the direction of the individuals served, assist people in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Assists people being served with identifying and engaging various community resources and support.
• Offers people being served educational opportunities to explore new resources, information and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergent needs.
• Administers outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participates in data collection.
• Reflects MHAAO core values and stays true to the principles of peer support.
• 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.
• As appropriate, openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health issues and is able to appropriately share own recovery journey story with individuals being served.
• Acts as a positive role model for people being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery.
• Acts as an advocate for people being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.

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 Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon 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 Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon for any set period of time.

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon 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.