PSS/CRM Clackamas BHU

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)
EVOLVE Clackamas-Behavioral Health Unit PSS/PWS/CRM Job Description

PAY RANGE: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)
BENEFITS: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook
TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST/CERTIFIED RECOVERY MENTOR
REPORTS TO: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services Program Manager
DEPARTMENT: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services – Clackamas BHU
TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and cover letter to careers@mhaoforegon.org by close of business December 2nd, 2020.

JOB SUMMARY:

MHAAO EVOLVE Clackamas BHU program team will work in conjunction with Clackamas County Behavioral Health Division to promote a recovery-oriented support system that focuses on hope, choice, personal responsibility, and self-determination. The team will provide Peer Support Services in collaboration with the Clackamas County Sherriff's Office (CCSO), Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) clinicians, and Clackamas MHC's case managers working with the BHU.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) will offer support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis resulting in contact with the CCSO BHU and/or reach out to offer mental health and/or co-occurring mental health and addiction recovery peer support to individuals referred by CCSO, BHU and Clackamas MHC’s BHU case management team.  The PSS/CRMs will provide support as a peer who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model of living in recovery. The support services will be holistic, person-directed, trauma-informed and strength-based.

Support will take place in various locations and environments including but not limited to Hospitals, Courts of Law, Clackamas MHC, and Community settings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  High school diploma or equivalent required. 

Background Check:  Criminal Background Check as performed by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or MHACBO for the PSS/CRM certification process by the Background Check Unit (BCU) is accepted. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from certification or employment.

Experience: Identifies as having lived experience of mental health challenges and or co-occurring mental health and addiction recovery.  Understands the effect of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of individual needs.  Understands the principles of recovery, consumer-involvement and trauma-informed care.

Qualities:

• Possess an absolute belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow and define their own recovery path.
• Values a person’s right to make their own decisions
• Value the individuals being served as the “experts” in their own lives
• Possesses insight pertaining to personal biases and worldview and how they may interfere with effectively working with individuals representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and life experiences.

Licensure/Certification:  Oregon Health Authority Peer Support Specialist certification required and MHACBO Recovery Mentor certification as applicable to lived experience. If in addiction recovery this position requires at least 2 years of abstinence.

Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Have reliable transportation expected.

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.
Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• As appropriate, openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience of receiving mental health/addiction services and shares own recovery story with person being served.
• Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Respects and honors the person being served rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Participates in appropriate staff meetings with the BHU and BHU clinical staff.
• Participates in county peer advisory and planning meetings as requested or needed.
• Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans.
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions.
• Attends staff meetings as applicable to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the person being served.
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service.
• Meets with person being served in the community and/or their homes to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship.
• Follows the direction of the individuals served, assists them in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Assists person being served with identifying and engaging various community resources and supports.
• Offers people educational opportunities to explore new resources, information and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergency needs.
• Administers outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participates in data collection.
• Reflects the core values MHAAO and peer support.
• Documents supports services in 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.

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 Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon 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 Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon for any set period of time.

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon 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.