Certified Peer Specialist

Behavioral Health Services

Location
Behavioral Health Services

City
Yakima


Employment duration:

Full time

Exempt Status:

Non-exempt

ID:

10764

YVFWC has a compulsory vaccination policy including the Covid-19 primary series, the organization does not mandate the Covid-19 booster although it is offered through our employee health department. Medical and religious exemptions to the primary series will be considered and for those approved, the employee should anticipate following appropriate guidance around masking and other protective equipment offered.

Provides care, supervision, peer support and guidance to individuals and their families as described in the treatment or care plan. Utilizes lived experience when working within WISe program. Works with clients who are predominately children and adolescents with behavioral challenges, low social skills, poor socialization or isolation. A parent or caregiver of youth with mental health challenges is highly desired in this position.

What we offer

• $17-$19/hour DOE with ability to go higher for highly experienced candidates.
• 100% employer-paid health insurance for employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx, 24/7 telemedicine; profit sharing, 403(b) retirement plan, generous paid time off, paid holidays, and more.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities/Duties

• Establishes and maintains rapport with individuals to encourage participation and retention in the treatment program.
• Provides peer support to youth and their families in WISe and assists them to successfully engage with the wraparound process and program staff.
• Meets with youth, family members or guardians to identify interests or motivators.
• As WISe program staff, utilizes lived experience to provide guidance on areas such as health and wellness, stabilization, recovery, self-advocacy, development of natural support systems, and the development and maintenance of community living skills.
• As WISe program staff, shares personal experiences to develop trust and provide encouragement to program participants.
• Transports program participants to fulfill their treatment needs or contract requirements as well as to community activities.
• Monitors patient condition during transport and initiates appropriate responses if problems are encountered.
• Assists individuals with assigned tasks or activities.
• Attends supervised home visits and provides feedback regarding family interactions; instructs and models appropriate behaviors.
• Provides encouragement, emotional support, and feedback to program participants and redirects individual behavior when necessary.
• Utilizes judgement to escalate a situation to appropriate individuals as needed.
• Uses agency-approved de-escalation techniques and skills.
• Provides specific training and support to assist in attaining goals as defined in the individual Treatment or Care Plan.
• Provides individuals with skill building activities.
• Models healthy individual self-behavior.
• Completes all needed documentation, including individual records of activities, concerns and behaviors.
• Maintains up-to-date clinical documentation, including encounters within specified time periods.
• Participates in program meetings as required or assigned.
• Purchases food and supplies as needed.
• Performs clinical responsibilities in alignment with The Joint Commission (TJC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and YVFWC requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
• Experience: For WISe positions, personal experience with a behavioral health diagnosis and/or behavioral health counseling with 1 year of stable recovery, or 1 year of lived experience as the parent, caregiver, family member or support person to a youth with challenging behavioral health needs. One year's relevant experience working with families and children in a therapeutic or educational capacity preferred.
• Professional Licenses/Certificates/Registration: Application for registration as an Agency Affiliated Counselor in the State of Washington must be submitted within one week of hire. Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid certification or obtained within 45 days of employment. A background clearance from the State Children's Administration is required if working within the foster care program. FBI fingerprints are required if having lived in Washington State less than the last three (3) consecutive years. For WISe positions, registration for WISe Certification Training within two weeks of hire. For WISe positions, Washington State peer certification within one year of hire contingent on state availability. Valid Driver's License and proof of automobile liability insurance coverage.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required or Preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Must demonstrate the ability to communicate at level 10 on the language proficiency scale to receive bilingual differential pay. If working with Spanish-speaking clients, English/Spanish bilingual proficiency is required. Knowledge of childhood development. Knowledge of Yakima county services and resources for youth and families. Knowledge of cultural differences and impact on support provided to clients. Basic conflict resolution skills and ability to diffuse stressful situations. Effective verbal, written and listening communication skills. Ability to exercise independent judgement and solid decision making. Ability to assess learning capabilities of individuals and family members. Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. Ability to establish rapport with youth, participate in physical activities, and redirect negative behavior. Basic proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.

About YVFWC

We serve more than 181,000 patients across 25 medical clinics, 14 dental clinics, 10 pharmacies, and 64 program sites in two states. We are Level 3 Certified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). With integrated services including medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, primary care nutritional counseling, autism screening, and primary care behavioral health, YVFWC's patient-centered model of care offers patients the full spectrum of care and shelter assistance, energy assistance, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling and testing, home visits, and four mobile medical/dental clinics.

Working at YVFWC

Working in our organization means being the passionate champion for those who have no voice. It means having the opportunity to work with underserved populations and with peers committed to the same work.

At Farm Workers Clinic

• We will consistently trust one another to work for the common good.
• We will foster integrity by demonstrating ethical behavior and insisting on doing what we say we will do.
• We will demonstrate transparency by being candid and truthful no matter the risk.
• We will create partnerships to strengthen ourselves and our community.
• We will fight for just treatment for all individuals.
• We will let joy in.
• We have the courage to be an agent of change and refuse anything short of excellence.

Our mission celebrates diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity employment.


Apply Here


PI206628340