Job Overview
The Peer Bridger will work with participants who have either a serious mental illness, a substance use disorder, or co-occurring conditions. As they prepare to discharge from inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, and up to 120 days post discharge. The Peer Bridger will attempt to engage participants in planning their therapeutic care. These supports may include spending time establishing social support, helping with independent living skills, developing coping skills, and community adjustment skills. The Peer Bridger is not a case manager, discharge planner, or a crisis worker. However, the Peer Bridger can bring the participants’ perspective into the provision of those services.
Responsibilities
· Responding to participants’ various needs via in-person, phone, and telehealth communications
· Interacting with potential participants.
· Develop a trusting peer relationship with participants.
· Promoting a sense of self-direction and self-advocacy.
· Sharing their experiences in recovery.
· Help motivate through sharing the strengths and challenges of their own illness.
· Considering the participants’ medical issues and helping plan wellness habits they can pursue.
· Educating participants about resources in their home community.
· Join the participant (when possible) in treatment team meeting. Help to convey the participant’s perspectives and assist the participant with understanding the process.
· Participate in monthly statewide Peer Bridger Program administrative support conference calls.
· Participate in Peer Bridger Training events scheduled by Carelon or HCA.
· Complete the current Peer Bridger report/log, submit log to HCA via secured email every month, enter program enrollment start and stop dates in Behavioral Health Data System (BHDS), and enter encounters using the Behavioral Health Care Coordination and Community Integration code.
· Participate in hospital and IMC/BH-ASO Peer Bridger training.
· Coordinate activities with the IMC/BH-ASO hospital liaison.
· Attend and participate in Peer Bridger team coordination meeting as directed by HCA.
· Meet the documentation requirements.
· Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
· Must be 21 or older.
· High School Diploma or GED.
· Lived experience of mental health recovery and the willingness to share your own experiences.
· Ability to work flexible hours.
· Must have Washington Certified Peer Counselor with at least two years’ experience working as a peer.
· Valid Washington Driver’s license and ability to travel.
· Must have the agency’s minimum vehicle insurance liability limits.
· Must pass Washington State Patrol background check and Pierce County Jail background (if applicable).
· Must pass monitored urinalysis testing.
· Must have no history of alcohol or other drug misuse for a period of three years prior to the time of employment.
Skills Needed
· Knowledge of mental health treatment and chemical dependency, along with the theories, principles and techniques of both substance use treatment and mental health therapy
· Knowledge of substance abuse treatment programs and community resources.
· Direct intervention skills to interview, assess, counsel, support, follow-up, and provide case management services to a chemically abusing or dependent client population.
· Ability to establish rapport, appropriately confronts, and motivates clientele.
· Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in written reports.
· Effectively and efficiently plan, organize, and implement job responsibilities.
· Ability to establish and maintain relationships with other treatment, social service, or criminal justice personnel and community at large.
· Ability to be a motivated and creative team player.
· Ability to confront substance abusers.
· Ability to testify clearly and effectively in court.
· Computer skills to include use of a word processing program.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $31.25 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Peer : 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Certified Peer Counselor (Required)
Work Location: In person
