Peer Support Specialist - Unity Emergency Substance Use Disorder

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)
Unity Emergency Substance Use Disorder (E-SUDS) PSS/PWS/CRM

Job Description

Pay: $25/hour

FTE: 4.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

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-E -SUDS (2 positions open)

DAYS/SHIFT HOURS:  Sunday – Wednesday 4pm-2am & Sunday – Wednesday 7am-5pm

LGBTQIA+ and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) offers peer support to individuals as someone who has lived experienced of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health and addiction issues and at least 2 years of sustained recovery. The PSS/CRM is a member of an multidisciplinary team and meets with the individual being served at Unity Center for Behavioral Health in the E-SUDS (Emergency Substance Use Disorder Services) unit, where they are receiving short term substance use-related medical care and stabilization services located at 1225 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232.

The PSS/CRM will provide a listening, supportive presence for individuals admitted to the Unity E-SUDS. The PSS/CRM will also offer follow-up support to the individuals being served to connect with a full range of resources in the community including behavioral health and physical healthcare services, longer term SUD treatment service, harm-reduction services and recovery supports. The follow up may occur in a person’s home setting or community where the valuable work of supporting and exploring recovery takes place following discharge from the E-SUDS. 

The PSS/CRM will be a valuable member of the Unity E-SUDS team that includes peer support specialists, social workers, case managers, and medical staff.  Most communication will be presented in team/individual meetings, encounter notes/documentation and emails to the individuals care team.  

The PSS/CRM will learn and be willing to practice all infection control training as it pertains to interacting with people in a medical setting. Unity E-SUDS staff may provide this training electronically, and they are expected to be completed during onboarding.

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 Voice and Choice 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 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 issues (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 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:  Peer Support Specialist or Peer Wellness Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) and/or MHCBO CRM certification required upon hire. Must have at least 2 years of sustained recovery from substance use.

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

• Actively collaborates with Unity E-SUDS team.
• Participates in regular MHAAO peer support supervisions with direct supervisor .
• Attending care 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 Unity E-SUDS policies and procedures.
• Meet with individuals being served in the community and/or their homes to establish and maintain a positive peer support relationship as determined applicable by the individual being served and the E-SUDS team.
• Following the direction of the individuals served and supporting them in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4957.pdf
• 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 E-SUDS team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for people being served and staff.
• Practices and is competent in de-escalation techniques from a peer support lens to reduce instances of 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.
• Reflects and practices the core values and principles of peer support.
• 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 challenges and shares own recovery story with individuals being served and E-SUDS 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.