Job Description

Job Description

Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)

Apple Store PSS/CRM Job Description

PAY RANGE: $25

FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

BENEFITS: This is a benefited position as outlined in the MHAAO Employee Handbook

TITLE: PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST/CERTIFIED RECOVERY MENTOR

REPORTS TO: EVOLVE Peer Delivered Services Program Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: EVOLVE **** Peer Delivered Services

SHIFTS: Friday - Tuesday from 10 am - 6 pm

Persons of color, LGBTQIA+ and members of all other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS)/Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) offers comprehensive peer support to people accessing meal, clothing or phone charging services at the Apple retail store. As a peer who has similar life experiences (homelessness, mental health and/or addiction issues) and acts as a positive and non-judgmental source of support and encouragement as well as in the moment lower-level crisis support and/or resource connection. Another component of the position is to provide 1:1 peer support to Apple Guest as referred by Apple Staff and if the Apple guest is interested in peer support.

The PSS/CRM provides community-based, holistic, person-centered, trauma-informed and strength-based support to individuals experiencing homelessness and who may also experience addiction and/or co-occurring mental health issues. Support to Apple guest is provided inside the Apple retail downtown Portland location and in the community. Support offered to the guests inside and outside the building while guests are accessing Apple services at the Apple retail store downtown Portland. Individuals being served may be involved in a wide variety of systems including but not limited to behavioral health services and supports, homelessness/houselessness services, criminal justice system, child welfare, frequent contact with law enforcement, incarceration/inpatient treatment program/hospitalization, or court involvement and are working towards building natural supports and a sense of community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Expectations: MHAAO strives to honor cultural and spiritual diversity in the communities we serve as well as honoring Voice and Choice through trauma-informed practices. 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 MHAAO.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent highly valued.

Background Check: A criminal background check will be conducted by MHAAO in accordance with the MHAAO background check policy. A criminal record does not necessarily exclude an individual from employment with MHAAO.

Experience: It is an essential function of the position to identify as having lived experience of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health issues as well as the other life experiences such as multi-system involvement or homelessness, that go along with such challenges and navigating a life of self-directed recovery. It is also vital to understand the effect of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of individual needs as well as the principles of recovery, self-direction, and trauma-informed care.

Qualities:

• Possess an absolute belief in every person’s ability to learn, grow and recover
• Value a person’s right to make their own decisions
• Value people as the “experts” in their own lives
• Possess insight pertaining to personal biases and worldview and how they may interfere with effectively working with individuals representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, language and life experiences.

**Licensure/Certification: **Oregon Health Authority **** (OHA) **** Peer Support Specialist (PSS) certification and MHACBO Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) certification is required but may be applied for within 1 month of hire. This position requires at least 2 years of continuous addiction recovery.

Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance required. Have reliable transportation preferred.

Skills:

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The ability to start conversations with people you do not know.

Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• To meet people outside and often during times of inclement weather
• Collaborates with individuals to create Person Directed Plans.
• Participates in regular peer support supervision sessions.
• Attend staff meetings as applicable to gain knowledge and communicate program goals and the needs of the individuals being served.
• Implements the regulations, policies, and procedures which pertain to peer-delivered service.
• Meets with people in the community and/or their temporary place of residence to establish and maintain a positive and trusting relationship.
• Following the direction of the individuals served, assist people in exploring strategies that increase satisfaction with the eight dimensions of wellness.
• Assists people being served with identifying and engaging various community resources and supports.
• Offers people being served educational opportunities to explore new resources, information and alternatives to utilizing the emergency department for non-emergent needs.
• Administers outcome measurement tools with individuals being served and participates in data collection.
• Reflects MHAAO core values and stays true to the principles of peer support.
• Documents supports 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.
• As appropriate, openly identifies as a person who has lived the experience of addiction and/or co-occurring mental health issues and is able to appropriately share own recovery journey story with individuals being served.
• Acts as a positive role model for people being served and exploring their own path to wellness and recovery.
• Acts as an advocate for people being served when appropriate, both within the organization and also with other entities.
• Respects and honors a person’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics. Adheres to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.