Peer Support Specialist, BHRN, Crisis Team - Swing Shift

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Deschutes County Health Services supports over 400 staff in Behavioral and Public Health programs working to promote and protect the health and safety of the community in a broad variety of community-based settings.

Deschutes County Behavioral Health (DCBH) is the Community Mental Health Program providing safety net and core clinical services for community members in Deschutes County dealing with mental health and substance use conditions. DCBH is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). As such, DCBH relies on multi-disciplinary teams to provide innovative, evidence based, recovery-oriented services in behavioral healthcare settings co-located with physical health providers.

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

The Peer Support Specialist, BHRN (Behavioral Health Resource Network) will provide direct crisis and substance abuse peer recovery services to individuals seeking support through the Deschutes County Crisis Program. This position’s primary roles include encouraging and supporting individuals in their journey, helping individuals to access crisis, mental health, and substance abuse resources in the community, answering client calls after hours, connecting and engaging with treatment, and providing support to the general functioning of the Deschutes County Crisis Program.

The Crisis Program operates 24/7 within the Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC), providing voluntary walk-in crisis services. The DCSC also houses the Community Crisis Response Team (CCRT) which provides in-person crisis services to those in the community. This position will require both DCSC-based and community-based peer services. The Deschutes County Crisis Program operates from a multidisciplinary team approach.

This position draws on the Peer Support Specialist's own lived experience to assist individuals in achieving their behavioral health goals; promotes self-determination, personal responsibility, and empowerment in recovery; acts as a role model to persons in recovery to inspire hope; and shares life experiences and lessons learned as a person in their own recovery.

This position also requires responsibility for satisfactorily completing required paperwork and electronic health record documentation according to Deschutes County Behavioral Health policies, procedures, and data integrity standards.

This is a swing shift position, and typical working hours include Monday through Friday from 3:00pm-11:30pm. Will be required to work some holidays.

• Assist clients in developing the perspectives that promote resiliency and facilitate recovery.
• Model personal responsibility and self-care.
• Teach coping/life skills.
• Share own experiences in appropriate ways.
• Maintain appropriate clinical boundaries and form appropriate relationships with clients.
• Perform a wide variety of tasks to assist client’s wellness.
• Support individuals in DCSC 23-hour voluntary Adult Respite.

Knowledge of or experience with:

• Self-identified person with a history of experiencing recovery from addiction or experience assisting family members who have experienced addiction.
• Self-identified person currently or formerly receiving substance abuse services or combined treatment for mental health and substance use disorder.
• Navigating substance abuse and/or mental health treatment systems.

Skill in:

• Encouraging clients and supporting self-efficacy.
• Providing good customer service and coming from a place of “yes.”
• Accepting feedback and…