Job Details
Peer Support Specialist
Job Description
Job Description
The Peer Company
Multnomah County Behavioral Resource Center (BHRC)****
Day Center Peer Support Specialist Job Description
Pay: $25 Per Hour
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 Hours Per Week)
Schedule: Friday to Monday, 10am - 8pm
Benefits: This is a benefited position
Title: Peer Support Specialist
Reports To: The Peer Company BHRC Peer Program Manager
Department: Behavioral Health Resources Center
JOB SUMMARY:
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides peer support as someone who has similar life experiences and acts as a positive role model for living in recovery. The PSS is a member of interdisciplinary teams participating in collaboratively supporting an individual's self-defined and self-directed care. Support will be offered and provided to individuals with addiction and/or co-occurring mental health challenges who may also be living outdoors and who are participants of the Day Center. The PSS supports the individual being served by creating their own person-directed recovery plan and accomplishing goals towards their self-defined recovery journey plan. They provide a listening, nonjudgmental presence and connect individuals being served with a full range of community resources.
The Multnomah County Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) is an innovative model that has been led by peers and centers its values in being trauma informed and equity based. The BHRC is a project of Multnomah County in collaboration with many community partners. The BHRC includes a Peer Run Day Center, 33 bed shelter with stays up to 30 days and a 19-bed bridge to housing program with stays up to 90 days for people experiencing houselessness and behavioral health challenges. The Day Center is run by The Peer Company and is staffed entirely by peers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Qualifications:
Values Alignment: The Peer Company strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices with a Social Justice lens. Our values of Voice and Choice mean we believe in the person's right to make their own decisions and that people are the “experts” in their own lives. We have an unwavering belief in every person's ability to learn, grow, and recover.
Being committed to Social Justice means being committed to constantly assessing our organizational values and the extent to which we are modeling or falling short of them. It also means listening to feedback from our stakeholders and others who have interacted with our organization and taking the time to understand and reflect on those interactions. This commitment is extended from the organization, as well as each employee of The Peer Company.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by The Peer Company in accordance with the The Peer Company background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with The Peer Company.
Pre-Hire Drug Screen: As part of The Peer Company's commitment to fostering a safe, productive, and professional workplace, we require pre-hire drug screenings for all potential employees. The screening will be conducted in accordance with The Peer Company's drug screening policy, as well as applicable state and federal laws.
Experience:
- Identifies as having at least 2 years of lived experience in recovery with addiction challenges (may include both addiction and mental health challenges)
- Experience with mental health recovery is desirable and highly valued
- Understands the principles of trauma informed care, recovery, consumer-involvement, and trauma-informed care
Licensure/Certification:
Peer Support Specialist (OHA Traditional Health Worker certification) or MHACBO CRM certification required or able to be obtained within 90 days of hireSkills:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Typing and general technology skills to easily and efficiently navigate electronic systems (e.g., email, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides 1:1 peer support to diverse individuals being served in accordance with The Peer Company's values alignment and principles of peer support
Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans (PDPs) to support their individualized recovery journey
Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions
Collaborate with other service providers and interdisciplinary teams to support participant PDPs and recovery journeys
Attend meetings, as applicable, to gain knowledge, communicate program objectives, and advocate for the needs of the participants being served
Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service, The Peer Company, and community partners
Participate in BHRC Day Center opening and/or closing procedures and protocol.
Following the direction of the participants served, assist participants in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness
Travels to visit community partners and participants, occasionally transporting participants to relevant community partners
Administers outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participates in data collection.
Support participants in crisis by helping them to deescalate and identify next steps in their recovery journey
Assist participants in identifying and engaging various community resources and supports
Documents support services in a program database in a manner that assures compliance with policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations
Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation as required by program deliverables
Acts as a positive role model for individuals being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery
Respects and honors a person's rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics
Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements
Complete other relevant duties as assigned
The above accountabilities represent work performed by this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific accountability will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of the position.
Employment with The Peer Company is "at-will." This means employees are free to resign at any time, with or without cause, and The Peer Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. As an at-will employee, it is not guaranteed, in any manner, that you will be employed with The Peer Company for any set period of time.
The Peer Companyisan Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities at The Peer Company are based upon one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, Veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Freqently Asked Questions
At Better Northshore Jobs, a Peer Support Specialist leverages personal recovery journeys to foster empathy and trust. Their lived experience enables them to connect authentically with individuals facing addiction or mental health challenges, crafting personalized recovery plans and providing meaningful, trauma-informed support that resonates on a peer level.
In New Orleans, certifications like the OHA Traditional Health Worker or MHACBO CRM are highly regarded for Peer Support Specialists. These credentials validate expertise in trauma-informed care and peer support, aligning with regional healthcare standards and improving job prospects within local behavioral health programs.
Peer Specialists in New Orleans can advance by obtaining advanced certifications, specializing in areas like co-occurring disorders, or moving into supervisory roles. Networking within community organizations and continuous training in trauma-informed practices also open pathways to leadership positions in behavioral health programs.
Yes, New Orleans presents distinct challenges such as higher rates of houselessness combined with complex behavioral health needs. Peer Support Specialists must navigate diverse cultural dynamics and limited community resources, requiring adaptive strategies and strong collaboration with local shelters and outreach programs.
The demand for Peer Support Specialists in New Orleans is growing, but competition remains moderate due to the specialized skill set required. Candidates with certifications and substantial lived experience in recovery typically have an edge, especially when familiar with local behavioral health initiatives.
Better Northshore Jobs emphasizes trauma-informed, equity-based care led by peers, offering a supportive environment focused on social justice. Their Peer Support Specialists are integral in interdisciplinary teams, promoting person-directed recovery plans and community integration, setting it apart from more traditional support roles.
The organization provides regular supervision and training emphasizing ethical boundaries, ensuring Peer Support Specialists balance authenticity with professionalism. This approach safeguards both staff well-being and participant trust, fostering a respectful, trauma-informed workplace culture.
Peer Support Specialists in New Orleans generally earn between $20 and $28 per hour. Better Northshore Jobs offers $25 per hour, aligning competitively with local market rates while also providing benefits and a full-time schedule, enhancing overall compensation value.
In New Orleans, Peer Support Specialists often travel to various community partners, sometimes providing transportation to clients. Navigating urban traffic and public transit challenges requires flexible scheduling and knowledge of local resources to ensure clients receive consistent support.
Newcomers should develop strong communication tailored to diverse cultures, trauma-informed care techniques, and proficiency in digital documentation systems. Embracing the city's unique social justice context and gaining lived experience insights will greatly enhance effectiveness in this role.
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