Description

The Peer Support Counselor uses his or her lived experience of recovery from behavioral health challenges, plus skills learned in formal training, to deliver peer support services to adults diagnosed with mental illness, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders to promote recovery and resilience. The Peer Support Counselor helps patients find hope and progress towards recovery. This position operates within a strong team environment and under the standards of the Health Services Department.

Duties Include:

Support Patients:

• Use of personal experiences to develop meaningful and trusting relationships with patients, acting as a mentor.
• Teach, model, and demonstrate healthy self-care tools, coping skills, and self-help strategies for patients in recovery
• Responsible for advocating for individual choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivering, and evaluating treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.
• Assist individuals in developing self-advocacy skills.
• Assist individuals with finding meaningful activities that promote a sense of purpose, structure, and inclusion in the community.
• Assist individuals in developing coping, social, and community living skills.

Build Community:

• The Peer Support Counselor works to build a supportive community of patients and staff that is conducive to patient growth and recovery.
• Assist in creating and implementing social activities and help create a positive environment for everyone.

Program Development:

• Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services to aid the patient in daily living.

Resource Coordination:

• Participates in the Chi-e-Chee coalition to plan and evaluate recovery support services.
• Coordinate with relevant programs to support and enhance recovery support services
• to provide additional support for patients, particularly as they transition from recovery back into the general community.  This can include continued healthcare, housing, job assistance, additional treatment services, and support in finding or re-integrating with friends, family, and outside communities.

Personal And Professional Contacts:

• Maintain regular positive contacts with Tribal Staff, Community Members, the Tribal Council, state and federal agencies, local schools, and other community agencies.
• Communicate regularly with the supervisor and/or leadership to keep them abreast of activities, plans, and concerns.

Remote Work:

• This position is not eligible for remote work.

Other Duties as Assigned.

Education and Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED Required. 
• Peer Support Certified through WA - Required within 6 months of hire.
• Driver’s License – Required
• First Aid and CPR certification- Required within 3 months of hire.
• Naloxone training- Required within 3 months of hire.

Experience:

• Must be a Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal or Community Member.
• Requires a lifestyle free from the problems of Alcohol and other drugs and the ability to be a positive role model.
• Must have personal experience with recovery and have a minimum of 1 year in recovery.
• Ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends as required.
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual patients in self-directed recovery.
• Good communication skills and will seek input from the Health Center leadership team when challenging situations arise that may require management guidance (e.g., inappropriate patient behavior).
• Personal computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, e-mail, and Internet skills are also required.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to finger, handle, reach with hands and arms
• Frequently required to walk, sit, stand.
• Occasionally required to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Normal audio and visual acuity

Travel Requirements:

• Local, Statewide, and out-of-state travel may be required.

Qualifications

Salary : $22 - $24