The Peer Company (TPC)

Peer Support Specialist – Unity Emergency Substance Use Disorder (E-SUDS) Job Description

Pay: $25.00 Per Hour

Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Hours and Location:

Thursday – Sunday, 11:00AM – 9:00PM

Home Office - Recovery Campus: 8935 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97266

Unity Center: 1225 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232

Benefits: This is a benefited position as outlined in the TPC Employee Handbook

Title: Peer Support Specialist

Reports to: Evolve Program Manager

Department: Unity Emergency Substance Use Disorder (E-SUDS)

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 is a member of an multidisciplinary team and meets with the individual being served at Unity Center for Behavioral Health in the E-SUDS (Emergency Substance Use Disorder Services) unit, where they are receiving short term substance use-related medical care and stabilization services located at 1225 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232.

The PSS will provide a listening, supportive presence for individuals admitted to the Unity E-SUDS. The PSS will also offer follow-up support to the individuals being served to connect with a full range of resources in the community including behavioral health and physical healthcare services, longer term SUD treatment service, harm-reduction services and recovery supports. The follow up may occur in a person’s home setting or community where the valuable work of supporting and exploring recovery takes place following discharge from the E-SUDS.

The PSS will be a valuable member of the Unity E-SUDS team that includes peer support specialists, social workers, case managers, and medical staff. Most communication will be presented in team/individual meetings, encounter notes/documentation and emails to the individuals care team.

The PSS/CRM will learn and be willing to practice all infection control training as it pertains to interacting with people in a medical setting. Unity E-SUDS staff may provide this training electronically, and they are expected to be completed during onboarding.

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:

Identifies as having lived experience in recovery with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health challenges. Has at least 24 months of continuous, sustained recovery with SUD and/or mental health challenges before employment
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
Actively collaborates with Unity E-SUDS team
Implement the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service as well as be mindful of Unity E-SUDS policies and procedures
Meet with individuals being served in the community and/or their homes to establish and maintain a positive peer support relationship as determined applicable by the individual being served and the E-SUDS team
Offers individuals being served educational opportunities to explore new resources, information, and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergent needs
Offers support in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the E-SUDS team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for people being served and staff
Practices and is competent in de-escalation techniques from a peer support lens to reduce instances of physical and mechanical restraint techniques, avoiding crisis situations or neutralizing crises in progress
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.

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Peer Support Specialist - Unity E-SUDS