Peer Support Specialist - African American Specific Program

The Imani Center is a Culturally Specific Program providing integrated behavioral health services to Black and African American individuals. Our atmosphere provides cultural safety trustworthiness transparency and collaboration. Imani means faith and was chosen to remind people to have faith in themselves the program and life.

The Imani Center services address relevant and culturally specific topics including: Cultural boundaries Impact of race on relationships Behavioral health stigma for Black and African Americans Identifying and addressing criminality and cultural biases within the justice system and Health disparities.

Join the Imani Center as a Peer Support Specialist!

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) works as a member of a multidisciplinary team that provides outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services. The PSS will provide peer support to assist individual clients in developing recovery support within the African American community. The Peer Support Specialist is the second level of a three-level series. It is distinguished from the lower level by meeting a certification requirement and from the higher level by the absence of program representation responsibility in community settings and may receive functional guidance from the higher level. This position has access to mental health billing and service records.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm

Location: Imani Center (2040 SE Powell Blvd. Portland OR 97202)

Compensation: starting at $23.36/hour

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 (PSS) AND registered as a Traditional Health Worker (THW) on the THW Registry.
• Engaged in African American culture. Knowledge of African American history and cultures.
• Must meet CCC privileging requirements as required by FTCA.
• Must have current CPR certification prior to start.
• Excellent reading writing and comprehension skills preferred.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Ability to navigate comfortably with a computer system and having knowledge of how to use various types of software (Microsoft word Excel etc).
• Education and experience sufficient to succeed carry out responsibilities and demonstrate the skills and abilities as described.
• Must have a high tolerance for ambiguity and change.
• Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phone will be provided.
• Must have non-violent de-escalation training or equivalent (or complete within 60 days of hire.)
• Ability to drive preferred but not required. If using a vehicle for agency use: Must possess a current drivers license access to a vehicle qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concerns Fleet Safety policy; pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training; and maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100000/$300000 personal auto liability coverage.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concerns 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.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen TB test and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Must adhere to agencys 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:

• Work with Imani Center and Karibu Team on specific objectives wellness and recovery goals in conjunction with the clients Care Plan.
• 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 client.
• Follow outreach plans developed with Imani Center team and meet regularly to track progress on activities to engage prospective clients.
• Build relationships with community leaders community partners and advocacy groups serving the African American community.
• Provide information screening for clients on-site at identified programs in the African American community.
• Help clients seek opportunities for further treatment housing coordination of care and services within Central City Concern and the African American community.
• Collaborate with A&D outpatient and residential clinical teams to assist with coordination of services system navigation and peer support in the African American community including support with discharge planning and follow-up care.
• Visit provide support and connect clients to the African American community including places of worship places of recreation clinics and elsewhere.
• Accompany and advocate for clients navigating healthcare social benefits housing and other support services as necessary.
• Maintain healthy professional and personal boundaries in relationships with clients staff and community partners.
• Facilitate recovery support activities in the African American community.
• Update and appropriately document in client records in a timely manner with client interactions appointments and encounters.
• Receive regular weekly supervision from the Team Lead and/or Director seeking additional supervision whenever necessary. Minimum requirement two hours of documented supervision per month.
• Attend clinical meetings and provide current information to team regarding clients participation in program and other activities.
• 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 including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department as well as to your supervisor or their designee.
• Work within scope of training and experience and seek consultation when appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER DUTIES:

• Relationship/trust building with staff clients community partners.
• Participate in training opportunities to advance skills and knowledge in mental health and addiction.
• Ability to learn how to respond to mental health crises in a clinically and culturally appropriate way.
• Participate in compliance quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Conduct/assist with organizing meetings and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally specific services to African American men and women including experience with trauma informed care and alcohol and drug treatment issues.
• Ability to assist participants with developing healthy African American identity.
• Ability to identify access and coordinate other resources in the African American community that can provide added support to meet the needs of individuals who have experienced addiction.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to individuals and families of varied ethnic cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds ages and living circumstances.
• Ability to advocate for individuals their identified families and community groups/populations.
• Ability to function as a team member and be flexible in attitude and have the desire to relate effectively with clients.
• Ability to promote programs and services to the community (faith based funders recovery/treatment providers culturally specific groups elected officials governmental bureaucracy etc.)
• Ability to learn and apply training instruction.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to review medical records and other client information.
• 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 medical personnel corrections personnel police merchants and co-workers.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with other CCC program staff.
• Ability to work in an environment where people may occasionally be hostile or abusive.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• 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 transport clients in company vehicle.
• Ability to work evenings weekends and/or holidays when necessary for the program.

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 and 2 Personal Holidays.
• 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.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority