What are the responsibilities and job description for the Peer Support Specialist - OHSU Primary Clinics position at MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF OREGON?
Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)
OHSU Primary Clinics of South Waterfront Family Medicine
OHSU Primary Clinics of South Waterfront Family Medicine
PSS/PWS/CRM Job Description
Pay Range: $25.00 per hour
FTE: 1.0 FTE Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook
TITLE: Peer Support Specialist/Certified Recovery Mentor
REPORTS TO: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services Program Manager
DEPARTMENT: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services Program-OHSU Primary care medicine clinics.
Persons of color, LGBTQIA and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) offers non-clinical support to individuals as someone who has similar life experiences (a peer) and acts as a positive role model of a person navigating their own personal recovery journey. The Peer Support Specialist/Certified Recovery Mentor (PSS/CRM) is a member of an interdisciplinary team collaboratively supporting an individual’s self-defined and self-directed care. The PSS/CRM also supports the individual being served with creating their own person-directed (person-centered) plan. They will provide a listening, supportive presence for those who agree to participate in the OHSU Primary care clinics Pilot Program. The PSS/CRM will offer follow-up support to connect individuals being served with a full range of resources in the community including harm-reduction education, services and supports whether themselves or through a warm hand off to another community-based peer support specialist.
The PSS/CRM will initially meet with the person being served at the South Waterfront Family medicine and Internal medicine clinics. The PSS/CRM will offer mentoring and support to patients who are working with these clinics during clinic hours as well as in the community. Peer Support will be offered to patients identified by clinic primary care providers and behavioral health specialists.
The PSS/CRM will work closely with team members OHSU medical, addictions, and social work/case management team members and collateral providers to link the individual with services in the community and support the coordination of care in collaboration with the person being served.
The PSS/CRM will support OHSU members in engagement with medical care and recovery support services including harm-reduction services. The PSS/CRM will play a major, ongoing role in supporting the people being served to engage in addiction and mental health treatments including medication assisted treatment if the individual so desires.
Access Level to Protected Health Information (PHI):
C= Limited approved access to patient care areas and/or all records containing PHI as needed to carry out their duties.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Expectations: MHAAO strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring the voice and choice of those we serve through trauma-informed practices. Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as to each employee of MHAAO.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy. 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 issues). Lived experience of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and recovery valued. Experience working with adults with addiction challenges preferred. Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued. 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 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: Peer Support Specialist or Peer Wellness Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) and/or MHCBO CRM certification required upon hire.
Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance if applicable.
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 in person peer support
- Actively collaborates with social workers and others on the OHSU team
- Participates in regular peer support supervisions
- Attending case conferences and staff meetings to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the individuals being served
- Implement the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service as well as be mindful of OHSU policies and procedures
- Following the direction of the individuals served and supporting them in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness
- Offers support with identifying and engaging various community resources
- Offers individuals being served educational opportunities to explore new resources, information and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergent needs
- Offers support in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the OHSU team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for people being served and staff
- Practices and is competent in preventing escalation, and works to prevent physical and mechanical restraint techniques, avoiding crisis situations or neutralizing crises in progress. This position will not participate in mechanical restraint or restraint training
- Participates in data collection as agreed upon by MHAAO and OHSU
- Demonstrates the core values and principles of peer support in their peer support work
- Documents and maintains peer-centric support summaries 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
- Openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience addiction and/or mental health issues and shares own recovery story with individuals being served, OHSU and hospital staff as appropriate
- Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery
- Acts as an advocate for individuals being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities
- Respects and honors the persons being served rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
- Demonstrates responsibility for safety of people being served, staff and property; is familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures
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 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 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.
Salary : $25
