Family Peer Support Specialist

$5,000 HIRING BONUS (Prorated by FTE)

• Benefits include:
  • Family medical, dental, long term disability, 403(b) plan with 6% match, and more.
  • Generous paid time off policy. (Annual accrual up to 208 hours - based on FTE status and available to use upon accrual). Plus 11 paid holidays annually.
• Bilingual skills a plus; Options pays a premium for employees who can conduct business in Spanish and provide certification of a language proficiency test approved by the Oregon Health Authority that meets a proficiency level of “High Intermediate”.
• Position may be eligible for Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program – visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH/Pages/Loan-Repayment.aspx
• Bonus Applicable to external applicants only, and limitations for re-hires will apply.

Overview

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) works as an active member of the treatment team, providing a wide range of clinical and administrative services to community partners, Options’ clients and people seeking services. The FSS has experience parenting a child who is a current or former consumer of mental health and/or addiction treatment or, is facing (or has faced) difficulties in accessing education, health and wellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers. The FSS’s role is to support the family, help them to actively engage and make informed decisions that drive the treatment process. The FSS uses personal and professional life experience to provide consultation, coaching and advocacy to increase awareness, improve parent/caregiver-professional partnerships and maximize parent/caregiver voice, choice and involvement. A FSS works in a variety of environments, such as Wraparound, Community-Based Programs, Outpatient Services, etc. and supports the unique needs of families by using consistent and unified principles of the Family Support practice and competencies. Utilizes Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in delivery of client services. Options provides on the job training and supervision for FIT.

Responsibilities

Provides advocacy and mentorship from a first person with lived experience perspective to individuals in need of behavioral health or addictions services and supports.

Utilizes effective communication and interpersonal skills to make the process of learning about services and accessing services a positive experience.

Utilizes personal, professional life experience and best practices to provide peer support to parents and caregivers.

Identifies emotional, psychiatric or behavioral changes and recovery needs which may require further intervention or treatment and informs the treatment team members.

Assists the parent/caregiver in problem solving around personal issues impacting their ability to access services (i.e. transportation, remembering appointments, etc) and connects to natural supports.

Participates in child and family team meetings with the parent/caregiver to support ensuring family voice and choice are being represented and strength-based approaches are being utilized.

Maintains connection to the parents/caregivers based on family needs and follow-through on tasks and assignments.

Maintains personal and professional boundaries appropriate to the peer role and ensures the safety and protection of self and the families served.

Provides a variety of supportive services for parents/caregivers (e.g., support groups, family activities, recognition events, outreach, training).

Provides parents/caregivers with information about the organization, community partners, Wraparound and Systems of Care philosophy and/or child and family team process, including the Family Support Specialist or Family Partner role.

Maintains local resource information and serves as liaison to community resources, and assists Options clients in using these resources to enhance their independent living skills.

Qualifications

Must have direct experience as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving agencies, including but not limited to, mental health, addiction treatment services, child welfare, wellness and educational services.

Must be currently certified, or eligible to become certified, by the State as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) - Family Support, and listed in the Traditional Health Worker (THW) registry https://traditionalhealthworkerregistry.oregon.gov/.

Ability to attend required trainings for certification when available, including completion of OHA-Approved training program for Peer Support Specialist (PSS) - Family Support.

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral sciences field; or a combination of at least three years’ relevant work, education, training or experience for QMHA designation. QMHA designation dependent on eligibility to meet the State requirements for designation as a QMHA with the Oregon State registry (MHACBO).

Candidates must be able to use e-mail, compose documents, save and locate documents electronically, and learn to use our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Proficiency in Word and other MS Office applications preferred.

Must pass state-required background and DMV checks; possess a valid OR driver's license and a satisfactory driving record to transport clients. Candidate must be able to work independently and flexibly, under general supervision.

Possess mature attitude and sensitivity to the needs of people who have a chronic mental illness; understanding of HIPAA laws regarding confidentiality of privileged information; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to work independently and with staff as agency needs dictate.

Options for Southern Oregon recognizes that in order to best serve the healthcare needs of our communities and fulfill our mission, we must learn, grow, incorporate, and value the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and in our lives. We are committed to the continued development of an aware, diverse, and culturally responsive workforce and an organizational culture that is supportive and affirming for all staff and clients. Options acknowledges that incorporating EDI principles in our practices is an ongoing learning process and we are committed to using our voice to effect positive change. We recognize that making an impact on health inequities in our community will take more than just a statement and, to this end, our goals, planning, and actions aim to promote and develop equitable and effective health care services to reflect the needs of our diverse communities.

Options for Southern Oregon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.