Substance Abuse - Peer Counselor

The Substance Dependence Peer Counselor is a client advocate that will be responsible for providing guidance and support to individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders by leveraging their own lived experience of recovery. The Peer Counselor should be able to offer empathetic listening, assist clients and families in navigating recovery resources locally and regionally, facilitate groups, and collaborate with the Klickitat County Behavioral Health team and other healthcare professionals to develop personalized recovery plans.

The Peer Counselor must be willing to ensure a safe and non-judgemental environment to encourage client's commitment to sobriety and overall well being.

Essential Job Duties

• Providing Peer Support: Offer empathetic and non-judgemental support to clients based on shared experiences of substance use and recovery.
• Conduct Peer Counseling Sessions: Facilitate one on one and group counseling sessions to discuss recovery goals, challenges, and coping strategies.
• Resource Navigation: Assist clients in identifying and accessing community and regional resources, treatment programs, and support services.
• Monitoring Progress: Regularly check in with clients to monitor their progress, provide encouragement and adjust recovery plans as necessary.
• Educational Outreach: Provide education about substance use disorders, recovery processes, and healthy lifestyle choices to clients and their families, this may include outreach activities, community education and functions that are outside normal business hours.
• Crisis Intervention: Respond to clients in crisis, providing immediate support and connecting them with emergency services if necessary.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in the department electronic medical record of client interactions, progress, and any referrals made in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Advocacy: Advocate for clients’ needs within the healthcare system and community services to ensure they receive appropriate care and support.
• Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to stay informed about evidence based practices in substance use disorder treatment and peer counseling. Attend local, regional and state conferences when approved by department leadership.
• Professionalism: Maintain a high standard of professionalism by adhering to ethical guidelines as outlined at the Washington Department of Health; County and department policies. Demonstrate reliability, respecting confidentiality, and presenting a positive image of the organization.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other counselors, healthcare professionals, and support staff to ensure comprehensive care for clients. Participate in on-going support network with other Peer Support Counselor(s) and other substance use professional staff.
• Communication: Clearly and effectively communicate with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure understanding, convey important information, and build strong supportive relationships in the department, with clients, and with the community.
• Promoting a Recovery Oriented Environment: Encourage a culture of recovery within the organization and community by sharing positive recovery stories and fostering hope.
  
  

ADDITIONAL Job Duties

• May be called to support the crisis team to provide coordinated care, ensuring clients receive timely and appropriate crisis intervention services.
• May be called to testify in court.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

While this description is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the Peer Support Counselor position, management and supervisor reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.

Education

High School Diploma or GED required

Additional Coursework or certification in peer counseling, addiction studies, or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• Lived Experience: Personal experience with substance use disorder and recovery. This is important for establishing credibility and empathy with clients, at least one year of sobriety is preferred.
• Advocacy Experience: Membership in or affiliation with consumer advocacy groups is preferred indicating a commitment to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with substance use disorders.
• Peer Support Experience: Prior experience in a peer support role, either formally or informally, is preferred.
• Resource Navigation: Familiarity with local community and regional resources, treatment programs, and support services for individuals with substance use disorders.
  
  

Requirements

• Knowledge of SUD Treatment Strategies: Understanding of various substance abuse disorder treatment strategies, including behavioral therapies, 12- step programs, harm reduction approaches, and other evidence based practices such as SMART, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous.
• Crisis and Conflict Mitigation: Ability to manage crisis and conflict mitigation through de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with clients, families, multidisciplinary teams and the community. Bilingual Preferred.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build trust and rapport with clients through empathy, active listening, and shared experiences.
• Confidentiality: Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to ethical guidelines, HIPAA/FERPA and CFR 42 part 2 as it specifically pertains to Behavioral Health programs.
• Professionalism: Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, time management and the ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, supporting colleagues and contributing to a collaborative environment in the department, the County, and the Region.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet client needs.
• Technology Skills: Basic proficiency in using computers, copiers, fax machines, phones and electronic medical record systems for documentation and communication. Familiarity with current computer software including Google Sheets and Google Docs.
  
  

Licenses, Certificates, And Other Requirements

• Background Check: Ability to pass a criminal background check, as required by Washington State Law.
• Driver’s License: Ability to be a licensed driver in Washington State or a Washington State Drivers License.
• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor: Must be Eligible for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor with the Washington State Department of Health. Must obtain Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential within 90 days of hire.
  
  

Certified Peer Counselor: Must be able to meet all Washington State Department of Health requirements for course work and supervised experience for certification as a Certified Peer Counselor. Must obtain Certified Peer Counselor credential within 90 days of hire.

Employment Type: Full Time

Years Experience: Less than 1 year

Salary: $39,707 - $51,792 Annual

Bonus/Commission: No