Mobile Peer Provider (Project Respond)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position is based out of the Kerns Building located in NE Portland, OR. The schedule for this position Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position: Mobile Peer Provider

Program: Project Respond/DHS

Cascadia 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 Mobile Peer Provider (Project Respond/DHS) provides crisis intervention as part of an interdisciplinary team to adults and children accessing Department of Human Services (DHS) who are experiencing behavioral health crisis as well as staff who may be negatively impacted by DHS client behavior. 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 County’s Acute Care Continuum. 

The Peer Provider models wellness and recovery while offering acceptance, hope, options, opportunities, problem solving, non-directive and supportive peer services based on respect and mutuality through similar or shared lived experiences to individuals they are responding to.  The employee works collaboratively with behavioral health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to assure the best possible treatment for clients, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment. 

 

This position is community-based and mobile. It will be located at a designated DHS (Department of Human Services) office (homebase). From there, teams of two will be dispatched to additional locations needing crisis support.  

Essential Duties 

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.   

Provide mobile crisis response, as part of a 2-person team, to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises at one of the DHS locations within Multnomah County.   Openly identify as an individual who has lived experience of receiving mental health services. Provide support through the recovery process for individuals being served by the DHS Team. 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 for 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. Communicate with Project Respond teammates via Microsoft Teams to collaborate.  Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment. Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics. Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements. Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.  Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff, and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures. Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training, and other educational opportunities to develop professional skills and abilities. Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Education:

PSS: Must have completed a Peer Support training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). PWS: Must have completed a Peer Wellness training approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). A Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) certification is required in addition to the training in order to keep current and in compliance with the OARs.  

Experience: 

Position requires experience as a former or current user of behavioral health services.  Must self-disclose as a current or former user of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with recovery. Experience working with adults with severe mental health challenges and substance use disorder is preferred.  Experience working with diverse populations & communities. 

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software

Working Conditions

Environmental Demands: Work is performed in the community setting primarily within Multnomah County Public Shelter spaces. 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 in which outcomes may negatively affect clients, community and/or employee mental health. The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during their assigned shift. The Peer Provider must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.Physical Demands: The Peer Support Provider must work collaboratively with partners to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergent situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at (503) 963-7654 or peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org

This position is represented by a labor union

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following 30 days after hire date)VSP Vision Discount Plan403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution!)Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life InsurancePaid Bereavement and Jury Duty LeaveLength of Service AwardVoluntary Life InsuranceSupplemental InsuranceStudent loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Bicycle ReimbursementDiscounted Fitness MembershipsTrauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

25.68

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26.84