Mental Health Peer Support Specialist

Description The Peer Support Specialist will provide support to outpatient mental health clients who are engaged in mental health services, including clients who are discharged from subacute/residential mental health treatment or psychiatric hospitalization, clients with serious mental health issues, and those with higher risk with self-harm and suicidality. The Peer Support Specialist facilitates the development of recovery skills.

The Peer Support Specialist provides opportunities for individuals to direct their own recovery process and support the learning and utilization of skills needed to foster recovery. The Peer Support Specialist will be knowledgeable of available service options, will promote the utilization of natural support systems, will facilitate the development of a sense of wellness and self-worth, and will work with a treatment team to promote the goals of the person in services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Directs interactions with clients who are assigned to peer support services, and acts as a role model to clients to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process; Telephones contacts, which includes talking with clients who need support, are struggling and may be prone toward self-harm/suicidality or prone to making bad decisions. Also, making reminder calls to clients who are scheduled for assessments, groups, individual sessions, medication management appointments, and other BestCare services; Transportation: Takes clients to some appointments, when appropriate, if approved by supervisor.

Transports clients to/from acute care or mental health residential treatment to outpatient services at BestCare. Transports clients to other agencies when they need assistance with accessing benefits (i.e. Social Security Office-Bend, DHS-Aging & Persons w/Disabilities, etc.). Occasionally transports clients to appointment related to Supported Employment services; Identifies recovering person’s abilities, strengths and assets and assist them to recognize and use them; Identifies barriers to full participation and focuses on strategies to overcome them; Helps monitor clients who are in residential/higher levels of mental health care, or jail, to stay connected to them and ensure that they remain connected to Crook outpatient mental health services; Referrals to various services, when appropriate (i.e.

Food Bank, LINC, primary care/medical services, community college, parenting, etc.); Provides case management services, as needed; Attends program and all staff meetings as well as supervision meetings; Helps clinicians in groups at the office, jail, etc. Provides back-up in groups and other treatment activities, as needed; Helps clients develop and connect to community-based pro-social or wellness-oriented recovery activities; Maintains accurate documentation in the electronic health system (EHS) within agency stated timelines; Other related duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs work in alignment with BestCare’s mission, vision, values; Supports the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a culture of open-mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion, and respect for all individuals; Strives to meet Program/Department goals and supports the organization’s strategic goals; Adheres to the organization’s Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, Employee Handbook, and all other relevant policies, procedures, and other compliance needs; Understands and maintains professionalism and confidentiality per HIPAA, 42 CFR, and Oregon Statutes; Attends required program/staff meetings and completes assigned training timely and satisfactorily; Ensures that any required certifications and/or licenses are kept current and renewed timely; Works independently as well as participates as a positive, collaborative team member.

Performs other organizational duties as needed. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES: Must have demonstrated competency or ability to attain competency for eac