Certified Peer Counselor

Position Summary:

Full-time Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) position available for our Behavioral Health Program in Vancouver, WA. The CPC provides behavioral health crisis intervention services to individuals who are referred to Sea Mar's Adult Mobile Crisis Intervention (AMCI) team through the Southwest Washington Crisis line, 911, or CRESA. A Sea Mar Mental Health Professional (MHP) or Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) will always be with CPC on outreaches. The CPC provides outreach, referral, and follow up supportive services for these individuals as a responder. The outreach services would always require two staff outreach. The assessment, follow up and referral activities, and collaboration will occur with natural supports, community partners, service providers, and other community organizations.

This job description does not suggest or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. This person will be required to follow other instructions and to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Responsibilities and Duties:Assists therapist/case managers in the following areas:

• Provides case management services to assigned consumers. These services may include collaborating in the provision or actually providing assistance to the consumer and their family or significant others to obtain and/or maintain housing, income, employment, medical and mental health treatment, and meaningful social and recreational activities in the community. It is expected that the provision of these services will constitute at least 50% of the CPC’s work.
• Assists the recovering person to identify their personal interests and goals in relation to recovery and integrating into the community.
• Educates clinical staff and others about the recovery process and the damaging role that stigma can play in undermining recovery.
• Assists recovering persons’ abilities, strengths and assets to assist them to recognize these strengths and use them to achieve their goals.
• Has an understanding of community resources such as vocational, social, cultural, spiritual, as well as funding and how to help consumer’s access services as appropriate.
• Assures appropriate documentation of the above activities.
• Assists with case management for clients from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health programs; assists with obtaining records and maintaining records as needed; assists with administrative work as assigned by Program Manager.
• Participates in clinical consults with either Program Manager or assigned Therapist as well as seeks additional consultations as needed.
• Attends and participates in meetings as directed.
• Helps to create an environment in which good mental health and a climate of teamwork is fostered.
• As needed, provides on-site services to acute-care consumers, including groups, one-on-one support, and coordination with other clinic services and staff, including medical prescribers and crisis staff.
• Performs any other duties or special projects as assigned by the Administrator.

Collaboration

• Collaborates with the primary Clinician and fosters the ability of the program to assist the client in obtaining appropriate community resources, natural supports, and entitlements as identified through a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan, by providing case management to facilitate the arranging of these services and to assist the client in learning the skills necessary to obtain and keep these supports and benefits.
• Assists the Primary Clinician for assigned consumers in the accomplishment of the following duties:Development with the consumer of an outcome based treatment plan;Development of an individually tailored crisis plan if needed;Provision of needed treatment services to assigned clients,Assistance to client in management of the authorized treatment benefit (Medicaid or other insurance) to maximize clinical effectiveness and benefit;Development of a discharge plan that insures ongoing safety in the community and maintenance of clinical treatment benefit;Documentation of services, as required, in a timely manner and in thorough compliance with Sea Mar and RSN standards;Maximization of the outcomes of service as directed by the consumer and as directed by contract;Provide support and back-up to other team members and their clients during scheduled work hours.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Keeps the supervisor informed of any potential problems in a timely manner.
• Maintains quality professional standards in all areas of work, so that the goals of the Agency can be achieved.
• Follows Sea Mar safety procedures, including required tests and drills.
• Follows all of Sea Mar’s building security procedures.
• Presents a professional image to all consumers, the public, and staff at all times, both in person and on the telephone.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all work related areas.
• Handles all consumer information and consumer activities in a confidential manner in keeping with Sea Mar policies.
• Participates in staff and program meetings, including consultation, supervision, and professional training sessions, as required by Program Manager.
• Maintains all records, reports and forms in accordance with Sea Mar procedures and contract requirements in a timely manner; performs the duties required by Sea Mar policies.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be a consumer of service within Washington State’s mental health system.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Education and/or Experience:

• One year paid or volunteer experience working with Mental Health and graduation from the Washington Institute Peer Advocacy Training Program or equivalent program (Rainbow Center Peer Advocacy Training Program or similar) required.
• Must be a Certified Peer Counselor in the State of Washington.
• Must have and maintain a current TB test & CPR certification. If CPR certificate is not active at time of hire, must obtain within 90 days of hire.

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays.

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment.