Peer Specialist in Team Based Care

Description

Shift Options: Sun-Thurs OR Tues-Sat 9am-5pm between three locations; Sandvig, Christopher, and Meusch (West Portland areas)

New Narrative offers a comprehensive range of mental health services to individuals in the greater Portland area. We work closely and collaboratively with each participant to develop personalized wellness plans that reflect their unique goals. Our programs include outpatient and residential mental health treatment, transitional and permanent housing, peer support, wellness services, and more, all tailored to meet the specific needs of those we serve.

As a Peer Specialist in our Team Based Care setting, you will provide person-centered, recovery-focused services to a caseload of 22 residents within 5-bed residential treatment homes and 12-bed residential treatment facilities that focus on home and community-based services continuum of care. Your role will encompass a broad range of support and advocacy designed to empower participants in shaping and engaging with their own wellness journey.

The key responsibilities of the Peer Specialist are to deliver individual peer support services and facilitate group sessions that foster independence, community integration, coping skills, and recovery with an emphasis on a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approach to help participants identify and develop their personal strengths and abilities, promoting wellness and self-sufficiency.

This position is a vital part of our evolving Team Based Care initiative, which integrates peer support, clinical case management, and residential services. Together, we work to deliver comprehensive, individualized care that addresses each participant's unique needs and goals.

The role of Peer Specialist is guided by our vision:

“We envision a world where lived experiences are valued and integrated - creating meaningful change and opening paths to purpose, connection, and community.”

As a team, our vision is:

“Team Based Care is intentional Collaboration to center resident experiences through the seamless delivery of holistic services, creating a confident and empowered community where members are engaged and excited.”

Accountabilities: (Responsibilities of the job)

• Collaborate with the team to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed peer support, integrating best practices.
• Enhance cultural sensitivity, awareness, and competency in Person-Centered and Peer-Delivered Services.
• Model New Narrative's values and support the Program Manager in aligning with Peer Services Vision and Strategy.
• Uphold NAPS Guidelines, Intentional Peer Support principles, and SAMHSA's 12 Core Competencies.
• Provide consistent support for program operations, including de-escalation and participant engagement.
• Offer milieu support, modeling person-centered social interactions with participants.
• Participate in weekly team meetings for collaboration and consultation.
• Ensure timely documentation within 24-72 hours based on urgency in electronic health record.
• Build and maintain relationships with community and referral partners.
• Seek feedback from participants and adjust programming as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the team, addressing quality care and service utilization.
• Maintain punctuality and a regular work schedule.
• Develop and lead peer-led groups per individual service plans.
• Keep the team informed on progress and issues, and complete other tasks as assigned.
  
  

Peer Support with Residents: 

• Provide direct support to participants and educate/coach staff to ensure team consistency.
• Develop individual service plans in partnership with the participant and members of the treatment team, which includes measurable objectives.
• Model assertive engagement strategies and advise staff on personalized approaches for participants.
• Demonstrate recovery principles, sharing firsthand experiences as appropriate to support participant recovery.
• Assist with screenings, move-ins, move-outs, and activities as needed.
• Support participants in finding housing and resources in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborate with clinical and residential teams to provide holistic support in goal-setting and daily living.
• Develop and facilitate peer-led groups with community input.
• Keep the team informed on participant progress and growth areas, promoting a Team Based Care approach.
• Complete all required documentation promptly.
• Advocate for the values and principles of the Recovery Model.
  
  

Core Competencies: (Listing of skills, abilities, characteristics, and knowledge)

• Communication: Direct and concise. Keeps people informed. Listens effectively to others.
• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations.
• Initiative/Results Orientation: Originates action. Finds ways to get things done.
• Quality: Promotes continuous improvement. Effectively utilizes data.
• Individual Responsiveness: Responds well to internal or external individual needs.
• Analytical Thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time and ability to analyze data and recognize trends.
• Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.
• Independence: Receives no instruction on routine work; with general instruction on new assignments.
• Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages, and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues
• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply new ideas, processes, procedures, or training.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups.
• Sensitive Information: Exposure to highly confidential information. Must maintain the highest level of discretion at all times.
• Motivate: On-going ability to motivate others and remain consistently enthusiastic, New Narrative mission conscious and values driven with participant focused and trauma informed lens.
• Demeanor: Remaining calm in a crisis situation, empathetic, unbiased and excellent interpretation skills.
  
  

Supervision Received:

• Receive supervision from the Peer Program Manager biweekly, with additional support as needed.
• Seek supervision from team members as appropriate.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and group supervision as required.
  
  

Other General Expectations:

• Attend and actively participate in required agency and stakeholder meetings.
• Pursue ongoing development of skills and competencies, including the required recertification trainings.
• Follow all corporate policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Follow through on all directives and instructions.
• Maintain security of all corporate interests.
• Maintain CPR and First Aid Certificate.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Peer Specialist certification (PSS, PWS, or CRM) recognized by Traditional Health Workers required.
• 1 year of direct support experience in mental wellness as a Peer Specialist preferred.
• Lived experience with mental health, substance use, houselessness, restrictive environments, or altered states required.
• Experience with Criminal Justice rehabilitation is a plus.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
• Must be in recovery from substance use for at least 1 year prior to hire and maintain recovery.
• Must pass a DHS criminal history check.
• Must have a valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license and active personal insurance.