Peer Support Specialist

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission to end homelessness through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

The Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) will deliver peer support services to clients and residents living at Central City Concern's Cedar Commons housing property. This position will work as a member of an integrated team at Cedar Commons and to deliver comprehensive, person-centered, integrated services to the Portland Eastside community. The Peer Wellness Specialist works as a member of a team to implement and support individuals with a variety of recovery, health, and wellness services in order to promote greater independence, community integration, and recovery from health issues, mental illness and/or addiction. Services will be provided in the community, and in client's homes. The objective is to promote a strengths-based, wellness-informed, client-centered approach to assisting individuals in achieving person-driven and self-management of health goals.

Location: 11450 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97266

Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm

Compensation: starts at $23.36

Minimum qualifications:

• Requires high school diploma, GED, or demonstrated ability to read and write at a sufficient level.
• Must be registered, prior to start, as a Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) with MHACBO; OR be a certified Peer Support Specialist (or Peer Wellness Specialist) AND registered as a Traditional Health Worker (THW) on the THW Registry.
• Must possess a current driver license, pass a DMV background check and be designated an "acceptable" driver as outlined in Central City Concern's Fleet Safety Policy. Must pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training.
• Understanding of the causes of homelessness and poverty, the medical and psychosocial sequelae of homelessness and the systems and processes used to help individuals or families secure and maintain stable housing, healthcare and other social services.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern's drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phone will be provided by CCC.
• Must have non-violent de-escalation training or equivalent (or complete within 60 days of hire).
• Must have excellent reading and comprehension skills.
• Must be able to work efficiently in a very fast paced environment.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB Test, and background check.
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliation, cultural backgrounds, life-styles and sexual orientations and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Provide the health education and support necessary for families to assume responsibility for their own wellness and recovery stability.
• Openly identifies as a person who has lived experience of using health care systems, addictions/mental health services when appropriate. Exemplifies recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable. Share their own recovery story as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient.
• Connect residents with the full range of health services that will support their long-term recovery, health stabilization, and self sufficiency
• Provides individual training in healthful living, self-management of chronic disease, well living skills, creation of healthful lifestyles, and support in areas such as self-care, holistic wellness, hygiene, community resources, and other life skills as directed by the plan of care.
• Work with other Central City Concern staff to encourage residents to coordinate their health care with their primary care provider before using hospital Emergency Departments.
• Participates in regular supervision, and staff meetings to gain knowledge and communicate program and individual needs.
• Coordinate and consult with other team members to keep team informed of issues and progress
• Documents and maintains records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Respects and honors individuals' rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners' and outside providers' patient confidentiality agreements. This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of CCC or outside provider health records to the CCC Legal and Quality departments, as well as to the program administrator.

Description of other duties:

• Participate in compliance,quality assurance and quality improvementactivities as directed.
• Coordinate various community building activities,
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills AND Abilities:

• Ability to consider the impacts and outcomes for underserved communities during decision-making processes
• Ability to consider impacts of systems of oppression, structural racism, and individual bias on client outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to individuals and families of varied ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, ages and living circumstances.
• Knowledge of chemical dependency as a disease, treatment and intervention methods.
• Ability to understand mental health assessment, treatment and service terminology and apply the concepts.
• Ability to create, track and report outcome measurements through the use of CCC's current systems.
• Understanding of the local healthcare systems and awareness of the challenges and barriers faced by residents within the system
• Ability to function as a team member and be flexible in attitude and have the desire to relate effectively with residents.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, patients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships, community, grant partners and other health service providers.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with other community resources critical to program success.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Ability to learn and apply training instruction.
• Ability to perform simple arithmetic computations.
• Ability to maintain strict standards of confidentiality with regard to patient information.
• Ability to maintain a calm professional demeanor and make independent judgments.
• Ability to handle emergency/violent situations with skill, confidence and tact.

Benefits: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees:

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 recognized Holidays PLUS 2 Personal Holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.