Crisis Peer Specialist - ITA and CTS

Lifeline Connections is a communitybased behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and wholeperson care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services foster enduring relationships and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission Through superior customer service high quality programs and welltrained and dedicated staff we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

POSITON TITLE: Crisis Wellness Center (ITA and CTS) Peer Specialist NonExempt Position

RESPONSIBLE TO: Peer Supervisor and Program Director

MAJOR DUTIES: The Crisis Peer Specialist works under the supervision of the Peer Specialists and Program Director. This position provides recovery focused services to participants of the Crisis Stabilization and Involuntary Treatment Center. Utilizing the WRAP fidelity with the goal of crisis stabilization within the least restrictive setting. This position provides clinical services to agency patients. In fulfilling these duties the incumbent performs the following duties independently:

1. Provide peer support drawing on common experiences as a peer to validate individual experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to participants to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
2. Participate in verbal and physical deescalation and interventions in emergent situations and be willing to assist other team members as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
4. Serve as a mentor to individuals to promote hope and empowerment.
5. Partners with each participant to provide information about service options and the process of care.
6. Obtains details and educates on advance directives to partner with the participant and to design and plan care.
7. Completes a WRAP with participant and educates team
8. Assists in completing admission to the Center including:
   1. Orientation to the program including an introduction to staff tour of the facility individual rights and grievances program schedule and community agreements.
   2. Reviewing and storing personal property.
9. Partners with each participant to maintain a recovery environment by performing tasks including but not limited to:
   1. Room Checks.
   2. Removes any hazardous objects and records findings as designated.
   3. Helps participants manage any risky behavior and completes required documentation.
   4. Implements contraband policy.
   5. Teaches life skills that enhance ability for participants to work on keeping personal space clean encouraging ADLs and following family style meal times.

1. Act as an interpreter to help team members better understand and empathize with each individuals unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
2. Provide expertise and consultation from a behavioral health consumer perspective to the entire team concerning participants experiences on symptoms of mental illness the effects and sideeffects of medications responses to and opinions of treatment and experiences of recovery.
3. Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each persons point of view experiences and preferences are recognized understood and respected and in which selfdetermination and decisionmaking in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
4. Help participants and other team members identify understand and combat stigma and discrimination associated with behavioral health and develop strategies to reduce selfstigma and stigma within the team.

Run daily groups using WRAP material that encourages participants to identify personal recovery tools.

1. Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of individuals rights in order to help individuals improve their knowledge of rights and grievance procedures.
2. Increase awareness of and support individual participation in consumer selfhelp programs and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
3. Serve as the liaison between the team and consumerrun programs such as selfhelp groups and dropin centers.
4. Participate in verbal deescalation and interventions in emergent situations and be willing to assist other team members as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.

1. Assists in daily cleanup of the kitchen and service areas refrigerators ice machine and dish washing machine
2. Assists in room turns for participants discharging and coming into the program
3. Facilitates serving breakfast lunch and dinner with clean up following each meal

Wash program clothing and linens. Support with washing participant laundry.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Personal experience with mental illness as a consumer of mental health treatment services.
2. High school diploma or equivalent required; College degree in a social science preferred.
3. Possess certification as a Certified Peer Specialist consistent with WAC 246341.
4. Current Washington State Department of Health agency affiliate counselor or ability to obtain credentials within 60 days required.
5. Current CPR and First Aid and Food Handlers permit or ability to obtain one within 90 days.

1. Be willing to seek to understand each individuals unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help participants regain a sense of control.
2. Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience the value of partnerships and individual choice and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
3. Interest or experience in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional behavioral health programs.
4. Ability to work effectively with individuals displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
5. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for individuals.
6. Current unencumbered driver license and proof of current car insurance required.
7. Good verbal and written communication skills.
8. Great attendance.
9. This position requires shift work and requires the ability to work within a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings.
10. Ability to work well with duties as assigned.

GUIDELINES

This position requires that the incumbent obtain and maintain Washington State credentials through the Department of Health and complete the Washington State Peer Support training.

COMPLEXITY

The incumbent provides crisisbased peer services to individuals who differ widely in age and socioeconomic status and who may possess a variety of chronic and serious social behavioral and psychological problems. Strong interpersonal sound judgment and creativity are required to help implement and deliver treatment services that meet the complex needs of the individuals.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with the members of the treatment team individuals significant others and family members representatives of various community agencies specializing in the treatment of behavioral health and crisis and related community representatives including hospital personnel lawyers probation officers and other court officials. All personal contacts are carried out in accordance with federal and state laws dealing with the confidentiality of individual records.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential functions of the job the incumbent is regularly required to sit speak clearly hear and use hands and fingers to manipulate writing utensils and keys on a keyboard. The incumbent is regularly required to stand walk reach with hands or arms stoop kneel crouch or lift and/or move maximum of 25 lbs. The incumbent is regularly required to effectively operate an automobile. This position requires individuals to be able to work 12 hour shifts with walking standing and moving around over 60% of the day.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Working hours are spent indoors in offices or other meeting rooms or in the milieu. Supervision of outdoor activities visits to community agencies and participation in staff retreats and staff development activities will be required.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: MHP Supervisor and Program Director