• Job Description

  Req#: 69382

  Job Details

  Job Location: Garlington Health Center - Portland, OR

  Position Type: Full Time or Part Time

  Salary Range: $21.59 - $22.26 Hourly

  Job Shift: Day

  Job Category: Community Services & Outreach

  Description

  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 positions will be based out of the Garlington Health Center in NE Portland. The schedule is Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  The Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) works independently and as a member of a team to provide community / home-based health recovery and housing support services to individuals (and household members) impacted by mental illness, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the incumbent understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. The PWS is responsible for conducting home / community outreach and support services. Position works in collaboration with the program clinician/case manager to provide high quality coordinated services. It is essential that the Peer Wellness Specialist 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, show a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation, and share own recovery story with individuals being served when appropriate.

  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.

  • Provide coordinated health recovery and housing stabilization supports under direction from HOT management staff, and in close coordination with the partner clinician/case manager.
  • Provide engagement services to clients utilizing strength based case management, motivational interviewing and harm reduction concepts.
  • Advocate and provide emotional and practical support to consumers throughout the working relationship.
  • Provide hands on assistance in collaboration with the team and the consumer household to secure and move into housing.
  • Provide advocacy services for consumers including securing benefits, mental health services, addictions treatment, medical services, emergency services and housing.
  • Assist consumers in the development of individual treatment plans.
  • Coordinate with the team of Clinicians and Psychiatrists in regards to behavioral health plans and treatment plans, identifying and prioritizing treatment plan goals and identifying resources to meet those goals. Develop positive working relationships within multi-disciplinary team.
  • Form cooperative relationships with outside providers in securing benefits, advocating for consumers, and connecting to acute care providers.
  • Work with consumers throughout participation in the program services to develop and strengthen community and natural supports to support housing retention and build self-sufficiency.
  • Escort consumers, when appropriate, to important appointments in the community. Include assisting consumers in learning how to use public transportation system.
  • Provide skills training to help consumers manage their medications. Includes but is not limited to helping consumers set up individualized medication reminder systems. Check in with consumers regularly on medication adherence, and communicate medication challenges to the team clinician, nurse and psychiatrist. May need to drop off prescribed medications for assigned clients if prescribed by program psychiatrist.
  • Provide skills training and support to help consumers gain the skills they need to budget, and support self- advocacy and financial services with payees.
  • Provide skills training to consumers to help them as needed to create menu/meal and shopping plans, and go over meal ideas and basic recipes. Includes escorting them to grocery stores to learn and practice skills.
  • Provide coaching and skills training to consumers to support successful tenancy and compliance with lease agreements. Typically, this will include reviewing of the lease, coaching on lease expectations and gaining knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of tenants. Provide assistance and coaching in communicating with property managers, submitting repair requests, and support in creating and maintaining a clean and safe apartment.
  • Provide coaching and emotional support to consumers related to neighbor relationships to reduce risks of conflict and lease violations.
  • Share own personal recovery journey when appropriate.
  • Role model empowerment and self-determination.
  • Document and maintain clinical records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policy and procedures and local, state and federal regulations. Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation associated with assessment, treatment, consumer’s progress and other activities, as required. Complete electronic medical records (EMR) as required using Cascadia software.
  • Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
  • Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
  • Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision session, and other departmental and agency meetings. Seeks additional supervision as needed.
  • Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated by agency requirements.
  • Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

  Role-specific Responsibilities:

  • Make appropriate decisions in the moment while working with consumers in their homes and in the community, typically without other staff present. In crisis situations, this position needs to make clinically accurate judgments about immediate course of action.
  • If bilingual - provide all job duties in English and Spanish including oral and written translation services on behalf of the team and consumers.

  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 and/or working with people experiencing homelessness is preferred.
  • Understanding of recovery model, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, illness management and recovery, and strength based case management philosophies and strategies
  • Well-developed coping skills and strategies in order to deal with known and unknown circumstances
  • Ability to learn and adapt thinking when new information is provided
  • Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
  • Enter and retrieve data
  • Prepare simple reports and progress notes
  • 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

  • Work is performed in the community, in clinic environments and in consumers’ homes. Given time spent outdoors traveling to consumers’ homes or escorting them to appointments there will be regular exposure to the elements including rain, snow, high heat etc. There is a moderate risk of personal injury/illness due to clients with violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants, etc. The Peer Wellness Specialist must have the ability to independently respond in a safe manner to potentially volatile situations, and when needed assist consumers, peer staff, or other individuals in providing safety in potentially volatile situations.
  • 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. There may be a multitude of stressors, including unpredictable behaviors, explosive/violent/aggressive consumers, and variable acuity levels. There will be need for a high degree of time management, crisis response/triage, and prioritizing skills, due to fluctuating programmatic and staffing routines.
  • Physical Demands: Activities and structure support community integration and assist program individuals in learning socially acceptable behaviors as supported by the person-driven treatment plan. 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.

  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

  Qualifications

  
  

• About the company

  WHOLE HEALTH CARE Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare delivers Whole Health CareTM. We provide mental health services, addiction recovery support, primary care, wellness programs, permanent housing solutions and affordable housing to people of all ages. L...

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