Youth Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - WISe Program

Frontier Behavioral Health; Spokane, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal holidays

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

License/Certification reimbursements

Job summary

Frontier Behavioral Health is seeking a WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide targeted support within a wraparound team. The position involves home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible youth and their families, collaborating with the WISe team to promote recovery and resilience.

The role requires Certified Peer Support Specialist credentials or Trainee status, a valid driver's license, and willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with clinical staff.

Qualifications

• Certified Peer Support Specialist credentials from WA State or Trainee credential within 90 days of start date.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must have unrestricted driver's license and be willing to use personal vehicle for work.

Responsibilities

• Assist clinicians in developing treatment objectives and interventions for clients.
• Provide ongoing support to WISe families to encourage hope and active participation in care.
• Promote recovery by instilling hope and reducing stigma in the client environments.
• Serve as client advocate and provide peer support in diverse settings.
• Maintain accurate client records and required documentation in a timely manner.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Certified Peer Support Specialist Credential (WA) or Trainee Credential

Valid driver’s license and auto insurance

Job description

Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non‑profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community. Our programs are designed to provide evidence‑based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues. As a Trauma‑Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey. If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!

WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission. Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County. At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more. Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.

WRAPAROUND WITH INTENSIVE SERVICES (WISe)

WISe is a team and community-based model that provides individualized services to ensure youth and their families live successfully in their homes and communities. This program provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare services and supports to Medicaid‑eligible individuals age 21 or younger and their families. WISe services will: Reduce the impact of mental health symptoms on youth and families, increase resiliency, and promote recovery Keep youth safe, at home, and progressing in school Help youth avoid delinquency Promote youth development and maximize potential to grow into healthy, independent adults. Focused and driven by the needs of family and family's support community; and provided in partnership with the client, family, and mental health provider.

The WISe (Wrap Around with Intensive Services) Youth peer support specialist is specially trained to work as a part of a wrap around team providing services to WISe enrolled youth and families in their home and community within all phases and activities of WISe. This is a specialized position requiring a willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with other clinical staff assigned to the WISe Team. The WISe Youth peer is to provide targeted support services, and to assist in the provision of a system of care that is child‑centered with the needs of the child and family determining the types and mix of services provided, to assist in preventing an out‑of‑home placement. To be effective, the WISe Youth/Parent peer will work with children in their homes and communities and incorporate the entire family in the treatment program, focusing on their strengths as well as the child’s age and cultural heritage. The WISe Youth Peer will need to maintain close communication with other WISe team members, and other clinical and administrative staff in order to assure the highest quality of services is delivered to the youth consumer and his/her family. Under the WISe model, meeting families at a time that works best for them is a core principle. There are times when a WISE staff member may need to “flex” their work time to adjust for client needs that result in an appointment that occurs prior to or after the employee’s regularly scheduled day. This means that an employee’s workday may start or end at various times throughout the work week depending upon the needs of the youth and their family on their caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist clinicians in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients seeking mental health services;
• Provide supportive services, drawing on common experiences as a peer, providing on‑going support to all WISe team family members by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives, and to be active participants in their child’s episode of care;
• Identify services and activities that promote recovery by instilling hope and experiences which lead to meaning and purpose and which decrease stigma in the environments in which they serve;
• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client or mental health service defines recovery;
• Serve as a client advocate and provide client information and peer support in a range of settings;
• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide peer support and case management services to individuals in a manner appropriate to the individual client and WISe team needs;
• Provide appropriate individual and group services for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups;
• Ensure each WISe child/family is heard and their individual family needs are being addressed and met;
• WISe Parent Peer will be committed to ensuring that parents have a voice in the youth’s care and are active participants in the WISe process;
• WISe Youth Peer will be committed to ensuring that the youth has a voice in their own care and that are active participants in the WISe Process;
• Serve as a peer advocate to help empower families in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to guide and actively participate in their child’s treatment;
• Develop and maintain linkages with community resources that benefit clients;
• Engage with clients and families prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate (as appropriate) in discharge planning and assist families’ as they transition into the community and back to their families;
• Assist families in need or in times of crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate;
• Work with youth and families in preparation of graduating from WISe services;
• Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services;
• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and practices.
• Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE

REQUIRED:

• Self-identify as an individual who during their childhood and/or experienced emotional and behavioral challenges and engaged in behavioral health services and have been in recovery for one or more years.
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health OR: If an Applicant does not have an active or pending Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health, then must apply for the Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential within 90 days of start date. For more information about Certified Peer Support Specialist Credentials from the WA State Dept. of Health, please visit: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/peer-support-specialist.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, active car insurance and must be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work.

PREFERRED:

• Two years' experience working in a community behavioral health setting.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

• The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position provided client services in community settings on a daily basis. Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large. Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.
• Daily travel between locations is required. The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.
• Daily use of a computer is required.
• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds.
• Blood‑borne Pathogen Category III - No predictable exposure to blood‑borne pathogens.

PAY INFORMATION:

• Applicants will be hired as a Certified Peer Support Specialist, if at the time of offer, has an ACTIVE Certified Peer Support Specialist Credential from the WA State Dept. of Health.
• Applicants will be hired as a Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee, if at time of offer, the Applicant has an ACTIVE Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential from the WA State Dept. of Health.
• Applicants will be hired as a Peer Support Specialist Trainee, if at time of offer, the Applicant: Has not yet applied for either the Certified Peer Support Specialist or the Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential with the WA State Dept. of Health. OR Has a PENDING Certified Peer Support Specialist Credential from the WA State Dept. of Health OR Has a PENDING Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential from the WA State Dept. of Health.
• Pay is based on whether an Applicant is hired one of the three credential options listed above.
• PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt): Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE- $20.79-$25.33 Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE- $20.79-$25.33 Certified Peer Support Specialist: - $22.00-$26.81 All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus, the starting pay for these positions are: Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE: $20.79 Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE: $20.79 Certified Peer Support Specialist: $22.00.

Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing!

WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE: Paid Time Off – Employees accrue up to 26 days of PTO in the first year of employment! Plus 9 Paid Federal Holidays! Sick Leave – Extended Sick Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Time. Some positions qualify for a Compressed Workweek option resulting in up to additional 26 days off per year. BENEFITS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/benefits Medical, Dental and Vision Retirement – We offer an impressive 403b plan including standard 3% employer contribution plus an additional 3% employer match. Flexible Spending Accounts Life Insurance – Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month following 6 months from your date of hire. PERKS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/perks Signing Bonus! No-cost licensure supervision for those pursuing clinical licensure. Federal and State Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying Programs. Reimbursement of License/Certification application fee that is required for the position. Free Employee Assistance Program Staff Discounts at various FBH partners throughout Spokane! Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.

APPLICANT ACCOMMODATIONS:

To request accommodation with our application process, please contact Human Resources at 509-458-7461. Job seekers may also obtain assistance, including auxiliary accommodations/ aids, by calling WorkSource Spokane at 509-532-3120.

OUR EEO POLICY

It is the policy of FBH to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, familial status, citizenship, genetic information, national origin, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by law, or their relatives, friends or associate and that ; a) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, b) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance, or c) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment opportunities. Violations of this policy are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This includes negative actions based upon an employee’s participation in activities identified with or promoting the interests of a protected group.