Peer Support Specialist

JOB TITLE: Peer Support SpecialistREPORTS TO: Grant FaggotLOCATION: Clackamas County Behavioral Health (Sandy Clinic)PAY: $16.00/hr.WORK HOURS: FTE: .8 FTE or 32 hours per weekDEPARTMENT: Clinical ProgramsJOB SUMMARY: This position works collaboratively with Clackamas County Behavioral Health’s Adult Team at Sandy Clinic using a trauma-informed, holistic recovery model to support individuals with significant mental health challenges. The Peer Support Specialist at the Sandy Clinic provides opportunities for individuals receiving services to direct their own recovery journey; supports the recognition and use of individual strengths necessary to self-empowerment and recovery; supports the development of a sense of wellness, self-compassion and self-worth; promotes the development of natural support systems outside the clinic setting. The Peer Support Specialist at the Sandy Clinic creates relationships of hope and co-learning with both individuals receiving services and service providers by drawing on their own lived experience with mental health issues and their professional training.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspire hope for persons in recovery through sharing life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
• Support individuals in recognizing their own unique strengths, abilities and assets, then using them to foster recovery.
• Support individuals in recognizing triggers and using their own unique ways to manage distress as an alternative to seeking structured services.
• Facilitate weekly groups with peers to create a culture of peer support, recovery and accountability.
• Work collaboratively and successfully with staff within the mental health services model while promoting peer support.
• Actively participate in team meetings and in all discussions with staff to promote recovery from a peer perspective.
• Encourage peers to engage in support programs and life-enrichment activities in the community as a means to building a natural support network outside the clinic setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be comfortable working with individuals actively experiencing symptoms of mental distress.
• Must meet the Oregon Administrative Rules definition of a peer: “any individual who has similar life experience, either as a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services, or as a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.”
• Be able to develop trusting relationships with both peers and clinic staff.
• Must have an understanding of the unique needs and struggles of individuals simultaneously experiencing mental and physical health distress.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent with computers for daily record charting, appointment scheduling, emailing, and internet use or able to learn these things.
• Ability to complete all required documentation on time.
• Must be able to endorse a trauma informed care and harm reduction models of support.

Requirements:

• Complete a 40-hour Oregon approved peer support training
• 1+ year experience as a peer support specialist or 1+ year experience working/volunteering in a helping profession
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening
• Must not have received behavioral health services through Clackamas County Behavioral Health Care Centers within last 6 months.
• Must be able report to work on time.
• Must drive, have a car and be capable of traveling on public transit when required
• Ability to utilize personal vehicle for transporting clients/peers. FolkTime will reimburse for mileage at 55 cents/mile. (Current COVID-19 protocols do not require peer transportation, however this could change as COVID-19 protocols change.)

PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Experience working with individuals with mental health diagnosis.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Training.
• Bachelors or advanced degree.
• U.S. Military veteran

Salary and Benefits: Salary starts at $16 per hour with prorated Paid Time Off (PTO). Includes health, vision and dental insurance.Application Process for External Candidates: Submit a cover letter and resume to Shannon Farr. In your cover letter, please address the following: “Please explain how you would draw on your own experiences both personal and professional in order to support others who are experiencing mental health distress.”Agency Description:

Founded in 1986, Folk-Time, Inc. is a non-profit community service for adults with experience as consumers in a behavioral health care system. FolkTime is a peer-to-peer program that serves people living with, or in recovery with, mental health and/or addiction experiences. The agency focus is on wellness and recovery. FolkTime is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $26,624.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

COVID-19 considerations:FolkTime has a COVID Preparedness Plan that outlines our complete policy for the organization.

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Communication method(s) used:

• Email
• Phone

Company's website:

• https://folktime.org

Company's Facebook page:

• https://www.facebook.com/FolkTime/

Benefit Conditions:

• Waiting period may apply

Work Remotely:

• Temporarily due to COVID-19

COVID-19 Precaution(s):

• Remote interview process
• Personal protective equipment provided or required
• Temperature screenings
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Virtual meetings
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place