DSHS Steilacoom Peer Support Specialist

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card transportation

5% premium pay for on-site work

Job summary

The State of Washington, Fort Steilacoom Competency Restoration Program in Lakewood, seeks a temporary Peer Support Specialist (BHS3) to work with forensic teams on competency restoration and recovery-focused care for residents with mental illness.

You will help develop treatment strategies, support life skills, and advocate for patient rights in a housing-based setting at Western State Hospital’s Steilacoom Unit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in sociology, psychology, or another social science
• At least two years of professional counseling or casework experience OR one year as a Behavioral Health Specialist 2
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience totaling six or more years

Responsibilities

• Provide recovery and symptom management information to patients
• Assist in creating and maintaining Wellness Recovery Action Plans
• Advocate for patient rights and self-determination in treatment planning
• Offer consultation from a patient’s perspective on symptoms and treatment
• Increase awareness of self-help and consumer advocacy groups
• Provide information on community resources and crisis intervention services
• Plan and support social and leisure activities for residents
• Document patient information within required timeframes

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Critical thinking

Group facilitation

Trauma-informed care

Psychiatric knowledge

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology

Two years of counseling/casework experience OR Behavioral Health Specialist 2

Equivalent combination of education and experience (6+ years)

Job description

DSHS Steilacoom – Peer Support Specialist (Behavioral Health Specialist 3)

We're hiring a temporary Peer Support Specialist (BHS3), formerly known as Institutional Counselor 3 for our Behavioral Health and Treatment Center in Lakewood, WA. In this role, you will work closely with forensic treatment teams to develop and implement active treatment strategies and interventions with residents. The interventions implemented will be for residents with mental illnesses, and will primarily focus on competency restoration, illness management, recovery strategies, and life skill development.

The Peer Support Specialist position is part of the Fort Steilacoom Competency Restoration Program (FSCRP), a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) within the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services (OFMHS), Behavioral Health Administration. The Peer Support Specialist provides advocacy and support of patients of the FSCRP who are experiencing mental health challenges while pending criminal charges in one of the county or municipal courts in the state of Washington. The Peer Support Specialist has lived experience of behavioral health and/or competency services involvement and is willing to use and share his or her personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight with patients.

Location: Residential Treatment Facility located on the campus of Western State Hospital in Lakewood

Some of what you'll do:

• Provides patients with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by patients to lead a satisfying life.
• Assist patients with the creation and sustainable maintenance of Wellness Recovery Action Plans.
• Draw on common past experience with confidence in his/her own wellness to validate a patient’s experience.
• Advocate for patient rights. self-determination, and decision making in the planning, delivery and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services.
• Act as a guide while providing expertise and consultation from a patient’s perspective in areas such as symptoms, effects and side effects of medication, patient opinions of treatment, and patient experiences of recovery.
• Increase patient awareness of self-help and consumer advocacy groups which promote recovery.
• Provides consultation to patients and families in the areas of community resources, treatment planning, and crisis intervention and substance abuse services.
• Assist patients to plan and carry out social and leisure time activities to include evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Complete patient documentation within timeframes set per specific requirements which will be listed on a job expectations form.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with residents, colleagues, and treatment teams
• Ability to assess situations, think critically, and take appropriate, timely action
• Experience facilitating or participating in group processes and therapeutic activities
• Knowledge of psychiatric symptoms and effective de-escalation techniques, with an emphasis on least-restrictive interventions
• Understanding of trauma-informed care principles and their application in a treatment setting
• Experience working in a psychiatric or behavioral health care environment
• Training or experience in non-violent crisis intervention and behavior management strategies

Who should apply?

We are looking for professionals who have:

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in sociology, psychology, or another social science AND
• At least two years of professional counseling or casework experience OR
• One year of experience as a Behavioral Health Specialist 2 OR
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience totaling six or more years

Additional information:

• Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

About Behavioral Health Treatment Center - Steilacoom Unit

The Steilacoom Unit is a 30-bed Residential Treatment Facility located on the campus of Western State Hospital in Lakewood, providing court-ordered competency restoration services to individuals who are unable to participate in legal proceedings due to a mental health condition. The unit offers structured therapeutic groups, individual sessions, and medication management to help residents build courtroom understanding, manage symptoms, and strengthen communication skills. The treatment approach follows an evidence-based curriculum designed to support competency restoration. The program is recovery-focused and person-centered, involving residents in their treatment planning and supporting transitions back to the legal system or, when necessary, to longer-term psychiatric care.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neb?) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.