Peer Support Specialist

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe; Kingston (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe in Kingston, WA is seeking a Peer Support Specialist. The role uses lived recovery experience to provide support to adults with mental health and substance use challenges, promoting recovery and resilience within a collaborative Health Services team.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, WA Peer Support Certification within 6 months, a valid driver’s license, and First Aid/CPR and Naloxone training within specified timelines. Local travel may be required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• WA Peer Support Certification required within 6 months of hire.
• Driver's License required.
• First Aid and CPR certification required within 3 months of hire.
• Naloxone training required within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Use personal experiences to build trusting relationships with patients and act as a mentor.
• Teach self-care tools, coping skills, and self-help strategies for recovery.
• Advocate for patient choice, self-determination in planning and delivering services.
• Help individuals develop self-advocacy skills and purposeful activities.
• Assist patients in finding meaningful activities and community inclusion.
• Contribute to building a supportive team environment and recovery-focused culture.

Skills

Peer support experience

Communication

Community engagement

Education

High School Diploma or GED

WA Peer Support Certification

Driver's License

First Aid/CPR

Naloxone training

Job description

Job Location: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe - Kingston, WA 98346, Position Type: Full-Time - 40 Hours, Education Level: High School/GED - Required, Salary Range: $24.81 - $33.49 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Occasional travel to trainings, The Peer Support Specialist uses his or her lived experience of recovery from behavioral health challenges, plus skills learned in formal training, to deliver peer support services to adults diagnosed with mental illness, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders to promote recovery and resilience.The Peer Support Specialist helps patients find hope and progress towards recovery. This position operates within a strong team environment and under the standards of the Health Services Department.

Duties Include:

Support Patients:

• Use of personal experiences to develop meaningful and trusting relationships with patients, acting as a mentor.
• Teach, model, and demonstrate healthy self-care tools, coping skills, and self-help strategies for patients in recovery
• Responsible for advocating for individual choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivering, and evaluating treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.
• Assist individuals in developing self-advocacy skills.
• Assist individuals with finding meaningful activities that promote a sense of purpose, structure, and inclusion in the community.
• Assist individuals in developing coping, social, and community living skills.

Build Community:

• The Peer Support Specialist works to build a supportive community of patients and staff that is conducive to patient growth and recovery.
• Assist in creating and implementing social activities and help create a positive environment for everyone.

Program Development:

• Serve as a recovery agent by providing and advocating for effective recovery-based services to aid the patient in daily living.

Resource Coordination:

• Participates in the Chi-e-Chee coalition to plan and evaluate recovery support services.
• Coordinate with relevant programs to support and enhance recovery support services to provide additional support for patients, particularly as they transition from recovery back into the general community. This can include continued healthcare, housing, job assistance, additional treatment services, and support in finding or re-integrating with friends, family, and outside communities.

Personal And Professional Contacts:

• Maintain regular positive contacts with Tribal Staff, Community Members, the Tribal Council, state and federal agencies, local schools, and other community agencies.
• Communicate regularly with the supervisor and/or leadership to keep them abreast of activities, plans, and concerns.

Remote Work:

This position is not eligible for remote work.

Other Duties as Assigned.

Education and Certifications:

• High School Diploma or GED Required.
• Peer Support Certified through WA - Required within 6 months of hire.
• Driver’s License – Required
• First Aid and CPR certification- Required within 3 months of hire.
• Naloxone training- Required within 3 months of hire.

Experience:

• Must be a Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal or Community Member.
• Requires a lifestyle free from the problems of Alcohol and other drugs and the ability to be a positive role model.
• Must have personal experience with recovery and have a minimum of 1 year in recovery.
• Ability to work daytime, evenings, and weekends as required.
• Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support individual patients in self-directed recovery.
• Good communication skills and will seek input from the Health Center leadership team when challenging situations arise that may require management guidance (e.g., inappropriate patient behavior).
• Personal computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, e-mail, and Internet skills are also required.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to finger, handle, reach with hands and arms
• Frequently required to walk, sit, stand.
• Occasionally required to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Normal audio and visual acuity

Travel Requirements:

Local, Statewide, and out-of-state travel may be required.

Additional Information:

Must be a PGST or Community Member. Requires a lifestyle free from the problems of Alcohol and other drugs and the ability to be a positive role model. Must have personal experience with recovery and at least 1 year in recovery.