Peer Specialist - ORCA Center at DESC

Seattle, Washington, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

29 May, 26

Salary

41.72

Posted On

28 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Engagement, Recovery Support, Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Navigation, Follow-up Care, Resource Coordination, Advocacy, Harm Reduction Counseling, Stigma Reduction, Lived Experience Integration, Goal Planning, Crisis Planning, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Contingency Management, Documentation, Cultural Humility, Interpersonal Communication

Industry

Mental Health Care

Description

Description Shift: Day Days Off: Saturday, Sunday Supervised by: ORCA Peer Supervisor Insurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term Disability Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (255 hours per year), Retirement Plan Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. A cover letter is required as part of your application to be considered for this role. About DESC: DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness. As the region's leading provider of services to adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness. Come work for us! About the Opioid Recovery & Care Access (ORCA) program DESC’s ORCA program provides compassionate, low-barrier, and evidence-based care to individuals who are recovering from opioid overdose and those seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The ORCA Center, our brick-and-mortar location, provides post-overdose subacute stabilization services and provides walk-in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The ORCA Patient Outreach Division (POD) delivers field-based MOUD care – meeting people where they literally are in the community. ORCA Center The ORCA Center is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including holidays. It is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including providers, nurses, medical assistants, peers, and milieu specialists. The ORCA Center offers four overlapping types of services: Care to individuals in stable condition who have experienced an opioid overdose, brought to the ORCA Center by first responders or transferred from local emergency departments. Rapid initiation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine (sublingual and long-acting injectable) and methadone (under the “72-hour rule”, or CFR Title 21 §1306.07 (b)), for people with OUD, regardless of whether an opioid overdose has recently occurred. Harm reduction counseling and OUD-related physical and behavioral health services. Follow-up care for individuals who have started MOUD to ensure support in MOUD continuation. ORCA POD ORCA POD is ORCA’s field-based care team, bringing MOUD induction, stabilization, and maintenance services as well as education and other supports directly to patients in the community. ORCA POD operates during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). ORCA POD is a multidisciplinary team, including providers, nurses, and peers, operating across several geographic areas throughout the greater Seattle region including: Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites Emergency shelters Encampments or unsanctioned sites High-need geographic zones identified in collaboration with DESC and community partners Areas without easy access to low-barrier MOUD services JOB DEFINITION: The Peer Specialist acts as a member of a multidisciplinary team responsible for supporting individuals who have experienced an opioid overdose and/or those with a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder. DESC’s ORCA Center sites provide 24-hour, low-barrier, enhanced supportive services. Here, the Peer will offer in-the-moment, person-centered, trauma-informed engagement with individuals who may otherwise not be present at more traditional clinics. Work is done under the supervision of the ORCA Day Nurse Supervisor, with consultation from DESC’s Peer leadership team. The Opioid Recovery and Care Access (ORCA) Center Peer Specialist is a member of DESC’s multidisciplinary team providing 24/7 clinical care to individuals impacted by opioid use. Peer Specialists bring lived experience with recovery from substance use and/or addiction and apply formal training to support clients through mind-body recovery and resilience. The ORCA Peer Specialist shares personal, practical experience, knowledge, and insight with participants and team members. They are well established in their recovery and offer unique perspectives that complement clinical practice. Services will be provided at the ORCA Center. This position involves a high degree of collaboration with other DESC programs, community partners, and healthcare providers. The role reports to the ORCA Day Nurse Supervisor, with peer support guidance available from the SUD Peer Supervisor. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide engagement, and recovery support to people experiencing opioid or stimulant use disorders. Respond to individuals' post-overdose and provide support in navigating care and initiating Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine and methadone. Assist with follow-up care for individuals recently started on MOUD. Support clients referred from emergency departments, shelters, and first responders. Assist clients in obtaining and coordinating essential services including housing, transportation, financial planning, health care, and employment resources. Advocate for client access to services and work to remove barriers to care. Educate and support clients regarding harm reduction, overdose prevention, and stigma reduction. Provide harm reduction training and support to DESC staff. Integrate lived experience and recovery principles into service delivery. Help client’s express preferences and goals through tools such as Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Contingency Management Plans. Participate in psychiatric consultation, program meetings, clinical reviews, and staff training. Document clinical interactions and services provided per DESC policy. Requirements MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health or ability to gain certification within 60 days of hire. Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment) or be the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services. Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Cultural humility and capacity to engage clients from diverse backgrounds Experience or interest in working with individuals who are difficult to engage in traditional services Knowledge of community resources and strong interpersonal communication skills Experience working with adults who are experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, have a mental health condition and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for consumers. Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: One or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services or like industry serving a diverse client/participant population. Two or more years’ experience leveraging personal peer story as a peer specialist. Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies. Training or experience in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and harm reduction Bilingual in Spanish/English or other languages STRONG APPLICANTS: Demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep client engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes, and skills of an effective crisis worker; and value a non-judgmental response to sensitive issues. Candidates should be able to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit for extended periods, communicate verbally, lift up to 40 pounds, and use computer systems. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

The Peer Specialist supports individuals experiencing opioid or stimulant use disorders by providing person-centered, trauma-informed engagement and recovery support at the 24/7 ORCA Center. This includes assisting clients with navigating care, initiating Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), coordinating essential services, and integrating lived experience into service delivery.