Peer Support Specialist – OHSU Harm Reduction Bridge to Care (HRBR) Clinic
Pay: $25.00 Per Hour
Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
Hours and Location:
Monday – Friday, 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Home Office – Recovery Campus 8935 SE Powell Blvd Portland, OR 97266
Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in the TPC Employee Handbook
Title: Peer Support Specialist
Reports to: EVOLVE Program Manager
Department: Harm Reduction Bridge to Care (HRBR) Clinic
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 PSS meets with the individual being served at OHSU HRBR Clinic or in the OHSU Emergency Department where they are receiving short-term physical health care, usually directly related to substance use and have the desire to connect to MAT or other harm reduction services. The PSS will learn and be willing to practice all infection control training as it pertains to interacting with people in a hospital setting. OHSU will provide these trainings electronically, and they are expected to be completed during onboarding. It is encouraged for the PSS to connect with the individual being served for a follow up after the hospital experience and/or participate in the transition to community resources, treatment, or housing from the hospital. The follow up may occur in a person’s home setting or community where the valuable work of supporting recovery takes place, after the treatment episode at the HRBR Clinic or hospital.
Qualifications
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:
- Must have lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder (SUD). Has at least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery with SUD before employment. Lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery is desirable and highly valued
- Experience with mental health recovery and/or Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is desirable and highly valued
- Understands the principles of trauma-informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement
Maintaining Continuous Recovery:
Employees serving in recovery-focused roles who have lived experience with substance use disorder (SUD) must maintain continuous recovery and remain abstinent by not engaging in substance or alcohol use (illegal, legal, and recreational) during their employment with TPC.
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.)
- Ability to push/pull/lift/carry items up to 25 pounds
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company’s values alignment and principles of peer support
- Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) to support their individualized recovery journey
- Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions
- Collaborate with other service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant PDPs and recovery journeys
- Attend meetings, as applicable, to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, and advocate for the needs of the participants being served
- Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service, The Peer Company, and community partners
- Following the direction of the participants served, assist participants in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness
- Travels to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners
- Support participants in crisis by helping them to deescalate and identify next steps in their recovery journey
- Assist participants in identifying and engaging various community resources and supports
- Documents support services in a program database 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 by program deliverables
- Meets TPC’s metric-based performance expectations based on organizational standards and contract deliverables
- Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery
- Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics
- Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
- Work closely with members of the HRBR Clinic Team and other relevant OHSU staff
- Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service as well as be mindful of OHSU policies and procedures
- Meet with individual being served in the community and/or their homes to provide peer support/recovery mentorship (as desired by the individual being served) and as determined applicable by OHSU HRBR Clinic team
- Offers support in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the HRBR Clinic team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for people being served and staff
- Complete other relevant duties as assigned
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 The Peer Company is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and The Peer Company 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 The Peer Company for any set period of time.
The Peer Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at The Peer Company 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.
