Peer Support Specialist - Kaiser Addiction Medicine

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) Kaiser Permanente Northwest Rapid Access Team
PSS/PWS/CRM Job Description
PAY RANGE: $25.00
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week) M-F 9a - 5p
BENEFITS: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook
TITLE: Peer Support Specialist/Certified Recovery Mentor
REPORTS TO: Kaiser Program Manager
DEPARTMENT: Peer Delivered Services Program-Kaiser
Persons of color, LGBTQIA+ and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) offers non-clinical support to individuals as someone who has similar lived experience and acts as a positive role model of a person in recovery. The PSS/CRM provides peer support and recovery mentorship to individuals who identify as experiencing mental health challenges and/or substance use disorder and are exploring and navigating their own recovery journey. The PSS/CRM will be working with the Rapid Access team at Kaiser Permanente (KP). The PSS/CRM will provide a listening, supportive presence to the person being served, will also support the development of person-directed plans and goals and will offer follow-up support to connect individuals with a full range of resources in the community and within KP.
The PSS/CRM will meet with the person being served utilizing a virtual and/or in person platform.
The PSS/CRM will communicate regularly with KP Rapid Access team and collateral providers to link the individual with services in the community and support the coordination of care in collaboration with the person being served.
The PSS/CRM will support KP members in engagement with medical care and recovery support services including harm-reduction services if requested by the person being served.
Access Level to Protected Health Information (PHI):
C= Limited approved access to patient care areas and/or all records containing PHI as needed to carry out their duties. Will be entering information into Epic in a nonclinical way.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Expectations: MHAAO strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices. Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as each employee of MHAAO.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with MHAAO.
Experience: Identifies as having lived experience of recovery with mental health issues/challenges (may include both addiction and mental health issues). Candidates with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or lived experience with addiction must have 2 years of continuous addiction recovery. Lived experience of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and recovery valued. Experience working with adults who experience mental health challenges preferred. Understands the potential effects of trauma on health. 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 recover.
• Value person's right to make their own decisions.
• Value people as the "experts" in their own lives
• Possess 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: Peer Support Specialist or Peer Wellness Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) and/or MHCBO CRM certification required upon hire. This position requires at least two years of addiction recovery.
Valid Oregon Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance if applicable.
Skills:
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and 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

• To provide 1:1 peer support to a person being served with a performance expectation of 50-60% of the employees FTE being dedicated to the provision of peer support.
• Actively collaborates with KP Rapid Access.
• Participates in regular MHAAO peer support supervisions.
• Attending care conferences and staff meetings to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the individuals being served.
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service as well as be mindful of Kaiser Permanente policies and procedures.
• Meet with individuals being served to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship as determined applicable by KP team and individual being served.
• Following the direction of the individuals served and supporting them in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Offers support with identifying and engaging various community resources.
• 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 KP team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for people being served and staff. Practices and is competent in preventing escalation, and works 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.
• Participates in data collection.
• Reflects MHAAO core values and practices the principles of peer support.
• Documents and maintains peer-centric support summaries 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.
• Openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience addiction and/or mental health challenges and shares own recovery story with individuals being served and KP clinic staff as appropriate.
• 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 with other entities.
• Respects and honors the persons being served rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Demonstrates responsibility for safety of people being served, staff and property; is familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.

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.