What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist / Counselor position at Lutheran Community Services Northwest?
Our Mission : Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities. We are privileged to touch lives of all ages, cultures and faiths.
The Role :
School-based health care coordination is the deliberate organization of comprehensive health care activities, including those that address social determinants of health, to advance equitable health outcomes. It entails sharing information and maintaining communication among all those concerned with a student’s health needs and care. This includes students; parents / guardians; school-based staff, including nurses, social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, and educators; primary, mental, vision, and oral health care providers; and other community-based health care professionals.
Care coordination involves community collaboration and can strengthen the connection between schools and the broader community, creating a network of support for students and families. This network helps young people access comprehensive health services and addresses social factors such as housing, food security, and transportation. It can improve health equity, particularly for students who experience barriers to access because of structural inequities or where they live.
The Seattle Mayor’s Office allocated funding to increase access to mental health supports in Seattle schools. One of the ways Public Health—Seattle and King County (PHSKC) is addressing this need (in addition to increasing the number of mental health providers in middle and high schools) is to establish a new school-based behavioral health care coordinator role in up to 21 schools to support increased access to behavioral health services.
Essential Functions :
- Serve as key liaison among students, families, school support staff, school-based health center providers, and community-based health and mental health professionals.
Community-based partnerships :
SBHC : Communicate important updates to team members within the school and within the community, including progress toward goals and changes in needs.
Coordinate student care among a variety of school and community services, connect with community resources or more intensive specialty care.
Utilize evidence-based strategies (e.g., motivational strategies, progress monitoring, problem solving, etc.) to maximize the effectiveness of clinical services.
Collaborate with “Care Team” to :
Provide culturally relevant care coordination :
Qualifications :
The Perks : We offer a full benefits package with options for medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage; employer-paid short and long-term disability, as well as life insurance. Vacation includes up to 2 weeks in the first year. Up to 2 weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family (based on hours worked). 12 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year. A 403(b) Retirement plan, with employer matching after meeting eligibility requirements. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you. Staff potentially eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness program as a 501(c) 3 employer.
We thank all candidates in advance for their interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services Northwest team. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.
Other details
Salary : $22 - $32
