Peer Support Specialist - OHSU Orenco Station
Pay: $25.00 Per Hour
Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Hours and Location: Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM or 10:00AM – 6:00PM TBD, Home Office: Washington County Office: 5193 NE Elam Young Pwky. Suite D Hillsboro, OR 97124
Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in TPC Employee Handbook
Title: Peer Support Specialist
Reports to: Evolve Program Manager
Department: OHSU Orenco Station Office-Based Addiction Treatment Clinic (OS OBAT)
Job Summary
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. The PSS is a member of interdisciplinary teams participating in collaboratively supporting an individual’s self-defined and self-directed care. The PSS supports the individual being served by creating their own person-directed recovery plan and accomplishing goals towards their self-defined recovery journey plan. They provide a listening, nonjudgmental presence and connect individuals being served with a full range of community resources.
The OHSU Orenco Station Office Based Addiction Treatment Clinic (OS OBAT) is a multidisciplinary clinic serving the Washington County community through the Hillsboro Medical Center Primary Care Clinic system. The clinic operates weekly and includes medical providers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, behavioral health clinicians, a clinical pharmacist, and learners from medical, social work, and pharmacy programs. OS OBAT receives referrals from primary care clinics, OHSU/HMC IMPACT teams, and community partners, providing patient-centered, evidence-based evaluation and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders, as well as coordination of higher levels of care when needed.
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) supports the interdisciplinary clinic team by engaging newly referred patients, assisting with care navigation, and facilitating warm handoffs to peer support services and community-based resources. This role helps promote access, engagement, and continuity of care while reinforcing the clinic’s collaborative, recovery-oriented approach to substance use disorder treatment.
Qualifications
Values Alignment: The Peer Company strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices with a Social Justice lens. Our values of Voice and Choice mean we believe in the person’s right to make their own decisions and that people are the “experts” in their own lives. We have an unwavering belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow, and recover.
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 The Peer Company.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by The Peer Company in accordance with The Peer Company background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with The Peer Company.
Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of The Peer Company's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with The Peer Company's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.
Motor Vehicle Records Search: For positions that require driving, The Peer Company conducts a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) search in accordance with company policy, insurance requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.
To be eligible for a driving-required position, candidates must meet the following minimum driving standards:
- No major driving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - DUII, careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, etc.)
- No more than 3 moving violations within the past 3 years (i.e. - speeding, failing to yield, running red light, etc.)
Experience:
- Identifies as having at least 2 years of lived experience in recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges)
- Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued
- Understands the principles of trauma informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement, and trauma-informed care
Licensure/Certification:
- Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hire
- Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Access to reliable personal vehicle required
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
- Typing and general technology skills to easily and efficiently navigate electronic systems (e.g., email, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals in accordance with The Peer Company’s values alignment and principles of peer support
- Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) that support individualized recovery journeys
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, service providers, and community partners to support participant PDPs, recovery goals, and continuity of care
- Participates in meetings, supervision, and program activities as applicable (including OS OBAT clinic huddles) to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, advocate for participants, and provide updates on participant engagement
- Conducts outreach to newly referred participants, including OS OBAT patients, to explore interest in peer support services and promote engagement
- Assists participants in identifying, accessing, and engaging community-based resources and recovery supports, including providing warm handoffs when appropriate
- Supports participants in navigating healthcare and recovery systems, including assistance with phone and virtual visit setup, care coordination, and appointment engagement
- Provides advocacy and engagement support in community, clinic, hospital, or emergency department settings, as appropriate to participant needs and program workflows
- Travels to visit participants and community partners, occasionally transporting participants to relevant appointments when approved and appropriate
- Supports participants in crisis by assisting with de-escalation and identifying next steps in their recovery journey
- Documents peer support services, outreach efforts, and required program data (including GPRA intake surveys when applicable) in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with program, local, state, and federal requirements
- Implements applicable regulations, policies, and procedures related to peer-delivered services, The Peer Company, and community partners
- Acts as a positive role model by demonstrating recovery-oriented behaviors, professional boundaries, and ethical conduct
- Respects and honors participants’ rights and responsibilities and adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
- Completes other relevant duties as assigned
