Please note: Must have an active Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) registry prior to consideration for Peer positions. If you are unsure if your registry is active, please visit this website (https://traditionalhealthworkerregistry.oregon.gov/Search) to confirm.

This position is located at Glisan Street House, a stabilization and treatment program in NW Portland. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) will work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to implement and monitor treatment for individuals being served while supporting a trauma-informed care perspective. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the PWS understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. In addition, this position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives by providing a set of non-clinical activities that will promote a strengths-based, wellness-informed, client-centered approach to assisting individuals being served in achieving person-driven goals. The Peer Specialist (PS) will advocate for the individual and support them to pursue their personal goals and individual wellness journey. As such, the structure and activities promote client driven goals established on the service plan.

All incumbents must understand, appreciate and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. It is expected that there is an awareness and sensitivity to the perspectives and perceptions to those we serve, as well as our colleagues. As Cascadia is Trauma informed, the incumbent must support a Trauma Informed Care Environment. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving behavioral health services, it is required that the incumbent understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve.

On the first of the month, following 60 days of employment, benefit eligible employees (20/hrs. or more per week) are able to enjoy affordable, low cost, medical, dental, and vision benefits. Additionally, Cascadia provides a generous paid time off package, volunteer time off, and more. Upon hire, you will complete paid training and then continue to train onsite in your new job. During the first week of training, you will learn about the agency, understanding those we serve, Trauma informed care, and other skills to prepare you for significant and meaningful work in the behavioral health field, whether you are providing clinical services or non-direct services. Click here to learn about the benefits we offer and more

Essential Duties

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities or an all inclusive job description.

• Openly identify as a person who has lived the experience of receiving mental health services. Act as a positive role model for individuals being served, showing a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation. Share own recovery story with individuals being served when appropriate.
• Provide therapeutic interventions with individuals in the variety setting as required and directed by the mental health treatment plan.
• Provide individual and/or group support in living skills, creation of healthful lifestyles, and support in areas such as self-care, holistic wellness, hygiene, community resources, and other life skills as directed by the plan of care and/or goals of this program.
• May facilitate one or more therapeutic groups per week.
• Participate in regular clinical and task supervisions.
• Attend clinical case conferences and staff meetings as indicated to gain knowledge, communicate program goals and advocate for the needs of the individuals being served.
• Comply with and implement the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer delivered service goals and protocol.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma-informed environment for program participants and staff. Prevent escalation and work to prevent physical and mechanical restraint techniques, avoiding crisis situations or neutralizing crises in progress. This position will not participate in mechanical restraint or restraint training.
• Administer outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participate in data collection.
• Reflect positive peer values that include non-hierarchy and mutuality.
• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation associated with billing, assessment, treatment, program participant’s progress and other activities as required.
• Provide input into the therapeutic treatment at the program in collaboration with individual being served and case manager.
• Actively support team members and other managerial and/or volunteer staff.
• Act as an advocate for individuals being served, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Represent the Peer Wellness Program at community, state, and /or national functions as indicated related to the work of the Peer Wellness Program.
• May teach clients how to navigate community resources, including but not limited to housing and mass transit.
• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers and/or program participants, staff and property. Become familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Remain awake on all shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.

Qualifications

• A completed Peer Wellness training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Must qualify for certification in Oregon as Peer Wellness Specialist.
• A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition and must be kept current and in compliance with the OAR’s.
• Experience as a former or current recipient of mental health services. Must self-disclose as a current or former recipient of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with recovery.
• Some work experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges is preferred.
• Operate computer hardware and software (including Electronic Health Record software) at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
• Enter and retrieve data
• Prepare simple reports and progress notes
• It is preferred that the employee possess a valid driver’s license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions will vary depending on program and site. Daily routines could be hectic and will likely require the PWS to perform any or all of the site’s functions and, on occasion, performing the tasks of other employees as needed. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants. Proactive self-care is paramount and PWS must be able to be a positive role model for self-care to clients.

• Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect costs, employee morale or clients. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.
• Physical Demands: The Peer Wellness Specialist will design activities and structure which support community integration and assist program individuals in learning socially acceptable behaviors as supported by the person-driven treatment plan. These are required to proactively avoid behavioral incidents and volatile situations and to support individuals being served in achieving meaningful and personally gratifying roles within the greater community. Employee must be pre-approved to provide transportation using agency vehicles in order to support resident access to the community. Employee must also have the ability to assist individuals being served to participate in a variety of activities, events, and excursions involving skills building and community integration. The PWS must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all program participants and staff in potentially volatile situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at (503) 963-7654 or peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org

These positions are represented by a labor union