Mobile Peer Provider (Gresham Behavioral Health Unit)

Location/Schedule: This position is based at the Rockwood Respite Building in Gresham OR but the majority of work will be performed in the community. The schedule is Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Position: Mobile Peer Provider

Program: Project Respond/Gresham Behavioral Health Unit (GBHU)

Cascadias Mission and Vision:

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care integrated mental health and addiction services primary care and housing to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care experiences well-being and has a self-directed connected life.

Position Description: The Project Respond Mobile Peer Provider on the Gresham Behavioral Health Unit (GBHU) provides mobile crisis response and follow up support in coordination with the Gresham Police Bureau to adults and individuals in Gresham OR. The Peer Provider uses their training and experience to provide engagement de-escalation and advocacy to support individuals in regaining stability in the community.

This position is part of a team and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed strength-based perspective and works in concert with programs in Multnomah Countys Acute Care Continuum. This position must understand appreciate and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. As such it is expected that this position promotes integrated care our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of inclusion safety and acceptance.

Essential Responsibilities:

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities skills or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify add or remove duties as necessary.

General:

• Openly identify as an individual who has lived or can show past work experience with the criminal justice system.

• Openly identify as an individual who has lived experience of receiving mental health services.

• Provide immediate mobile response and follow-up support to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Gresham.

• Provide support through the recovery process for individuals being served by the Gresham Behavioral Health Unit.

• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.

• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers.

• Reflect positive peer values that include non-hierarchy and mutuality.

• Act as a positive role model for individuals being served demonstrating a recovery and healthful lifestyle orientation.

• Assist and support in connecting to and developing the skills necessary to access and utilize community resources and other life skills.

• Provide culturally responsive services particularly for African American Latino and Native American participants (that are over-represented among homeless participants).

• Model and encourage participation in community inclusion activities.

• Coordinate services provided with other service providers including but not limited to medical providers mental health providers and Aging and Disability Services.

• Assess personal safety in the environment and request additional support as appropriate.

• In certain situations collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of clients in crises.

• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.

• Consult with teammates supervisors program managers and program medical directors as appropriate.

• Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Regulatory & Compliance:

• Comply with laws regulations policies and procedures under which the program and company operate.

• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate; follow protocols and procedures in coordination with the treatment team.

• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation that ensures compliance with all agency policies and procedures and local state and federal regulations and billing requirements.

• Understand safety regulations and evacuation procedures; participate in regular safety drills in compliance with program policies and procedures.

• Complete assigned employee training in compliance with program and company requirements.

• Provide guidance support and training to other staff in alignment with company mission and values.

• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings supervision sessions and other departmental and company meetings.

Qualifications

Education:

• Required: PSS: Must have completed a Peer Support training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or PWS: Must have completed a Peer Wellness training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

• A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is in addition to the certification to keep current and in compliance with the OARs.

Experience:

• Required: Position requires experience as a former or current user of mental health services. Must self-disclose as a current or former user of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with recovery.

• Preferred: Experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental health challenges is preferred. Experience working with diverse populations & communities.

Specialized Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Effective communication and active listening skills.

• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Ability to work proactively and effectively in a team and independently.

• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions.

Other:

• Must have access to a personal vehicle. Possess a valid drivers license three-year driving history; clean driving record ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course (some programs).

• CPR Certification (training provided post-hire).

Working Conditions

Environmental: Work is performed in one or more of the following: clinical office acute care settings and community setting including client residences correctional facilities shelters hospitals public places and other social service sites. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior exposure to disease biohazards noise and contaminants.

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management addition this position requires exercising sound judgment.