Position Details

Peer Recovery Coach

Department: Outreach Services
Pay Range: $20 to $23 per hour (DOE/DOQ)
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick Leave, Float Days & Paid Holidays
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • Wellness Program
  • Employee Assistant Program
  • LifeFlight Membership
  • Education Allowance


JOB PURPOSE:   The REAL Program Peer Recovery Coach will act as the contact point for all referrals to the REAL Program and will spend most of their time in the field. The REAL Program Peer Recovery Coach is the primary liaison between law enforcement, the community, and others making referrals to the REAL Program. The REAL Program Peer Recovery Coach will provide screening, outreach, and engagement to individuals referred to REAL Program.  As such, this position must ensure effective and efficient communication and collaboration between all partners involved in referring and receiving referrals for REAL Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Respond to community referrals and interact with individuals who might need support, coordination services, or ongoing referrals to external services.
  • Provide outreach and establish connections with individuals who are living with a substance use disorder and help facilitate client engagement with assigned REAL Outreach Coordinator/Care Manager.
  • Routinely engage and interact with potential participants as long as necessary to build relationships and trust.
  • Meet participants where they are physically and mentally at to engage in conversation and extend program offerings.
  • Develop trusting relationships with participants, promoting a sense of self-direction and self-advocacy, and helping the participant plan how they will successfully manage their life.
  • Provide initial and on-going screening and engagement with referred individuals.
  • Provide assistance while addressing the immediate needs of the individual (this is not intensive clinical case management).
  • Facilitate a warm hand off to the supportive services identified, as indicated by participant readiness.
  • Coordinate with REAL Program Peer Outreach Coordinator/Care Manager to meet the individual needs of new and existing program participants.
  • Prioritize responding to law enforcement calls in the beginning stages, with long term goal of being able to respond to any community-based and emergency response referral.
  • Provide immediate response within 60-90 minutes to Law Enforcement and other referents.
  • Follow-up with program participants in the community when there is indication of disengagement.
  • Develop and maintain positive collaborative working relationship with other social services providers, navigator-like programs, crisis stabilization facilities, crisis responders, evaluation and treatment facility staff, DSHS workers, substance use disorder treatment providers, mental health providers, health care providers, shelter providers, landlords, harm reduction resources, withdrawal management program, protective or representative payees, DCYF, and other community programs which may support participants.
  • Identify gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocate for systemic changes.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Attend regularly scheduled the REAL program Operational Work Group (OWG) meetings and the staffing of participants with partners.
  • Attend REAL program team meetings, trainings, and regional/state required meetings as requested.
  • Collect and provide data points related to the individuals referred to the program and provide data to the REAL program Project Manager.
  • Develop and maintain participant files for assigned caseload according to program, contract and state requirements.
  • Attend stakeholder work groups and committees to represent the experiences and needs of program participants.
  • Perform relevant clinical and administrative tasks according to agency policies.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in utilization of the agency's electronic database.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

  • Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, LEAD's Core Principles (www.leadbureau.org):

     o  Voluntary Participation

     o  Community Based Program

     o  Harm Reduction Framework

     o  Participant-identified and Driven

     o  Intensive Case Management

     o  Peer Outreach and Counseling

     o  Trauma-Informed Approach

     o  Culturally Competent Services

  • Demonstrate ability providing street-based outreach and engagement vulnerable populations. Street outreach requires the ability to easily navigate city streets on foot and tolerate a variety of weather conditions. Street outreach experience a plus. 
  • Demonstrate experience developing positive, collaborative relationships with law enforcement and social services providers to effectively serve mutual individuals.
  • Have an understanding of substance use disorders and harm reduction strategies along with a demonstrated passion for serving individuals experiencing homelessness and those with behavioral health needs.
  • Understand and adhere to state and federal confidentiality regulations.
  • Conduct self ethically and professionally at all times.
  • Maintain accurate, timely chart information in compliance with funding source while also meeting agency quality assurance guidelines.
  • Meets attendance and punctuality standards necessary for effective program participant care.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, LICENSE(S), CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:  Minimum High School Diploma/GED

Licensure:  Agency Affiliated Counselor registration (Peninsula Behavioral Health will assist in obtaining this credential)

Certified Peer Support Specialist credential within 6 months of hire (Peninsula Behavioral Health will assist with obtaining the required training)

Other:  Valid Driver's License (must have satisfactory and insurable driving record to be able to drive company vehicles) 

Experience:  Must be a person who is in recovery for at least 2 consecutive years from a substance use disorder

Additional requirements:

  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check
  • Must be able to provide vaccination records for MMR, Hep B, Tdap and recent flu shot

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS / EXPERIENCE:

  • Has an understanding of Peer Support's ethical and practice guidelines to include, being open minded, recovery oriented, hopeful, respectful, empathetic, strengths focused and person centered

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Ability to identify coping strategies and supports to assist program participants in the development of recovery values and principles.
  • Ability to elicit client choice and support a participant driven program.
  • Ability to identify program participant capabilities regarding level of engagement and readiness for change. 
  • Ability to assist clients with the development of recovery values and principles.
  • Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
  • Ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments.
  • Ability to use sound judgments in intervention, support services, and problem solving.
  • Ability to multitask and effectively manage a caseload of individuals with diverse needs.
  • Strong knowledge of community resources.
  • Ability to advocate effectively with community partners.
  • Willing and able to work independently and as a team.
  • Must have competence using computer, photocopier, fax machine, smartphone and entering data into electronic database.
  • Must possess a valid WA state Driver's License and be able to use a program and/or personal vehicle.
  • Ability to be in rotation for 24/7 on-call response to referrals.
  • Ability to flex schedule when necessary to accommodate special program needs.
  • Must have competence using computer, photocopier, fax machine, smartphone and entering data into electronic database.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

  • Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.)
  • Occasional sitting/standing/walking.
  • Occasionally lifts supplies and equipment.
  • Maintains Universal Precautions and uses barriers (gloves, masks, aprons, goggles) appropriately in all potential exposures to body fluids.
  • Although the typical workday is during normal business hours, some evening and weekend hours may be required.

Cognitive Skills:

  • Able to elicit the client's history of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with services, including medications.
  • Able to assist clients with improving family communication and involvement in treatment when possible and appropriate.
  • Ability to assess the client's understanding of his or her illness, medications and other treatment.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.

Working Environment:

  • May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases.
  • Occasionally exposed to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors.
  • Works in both office and community-based settings including client homes.

Working Demands:

  • Frequent pressure due to schedule demands.
  • Contact with clients under a wide variety of circumstances.
  • Subject to varying and unpredictable situations.
  • Handles emergency or crisis situations.
  • Subject to irregular work hours

Principal Challenges:

  • Adopts an approach guided by service recipients' needs and desires.
  • Able to foster and support self-advocacy.
  • Manages personal stress so that on-the-job activities are not negatively impacted.



*Peninsula Behavioral Health does not discriminate because of a person's presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity including transgender status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, age (40), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, state employee or health care whistleblower status.