Peer Support Specialist

Oakland, CA, United States

Overview:

LifeLong Medical Care is looking for Peer Support Specialists at our East Bay Community Recovery Project in Oakland. The Peer Support Specialist provides culturally responsive, trauma informed peer-based engagement and harm reduction services to clients at LifeLongs clinic, drop-in center, housing, community based and mobile health sites.

These are full time, 40 hrs/wk, grant funded, benefit eligible positions.

This position is represented by SEIU-UHW. Salaries and benefits are set by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and an employee in this position must remain a member in good standing of SEIU-UHW, as defined in the CBA.

LifeLong Medical Care is a large, multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a rich history of providing innovative healthcare and social services to a wonderfully diverse patient community. Our patient-centered health home is a dynamic place to work, practice, and grow. We have over 15 primary care health centers and deliver integrated services including psychosocial, referrals, chronic disease management, dental, health education, home visits, and much, much more. LifeLong Medical Care is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition.

Benefits

Compensation: $21 - $23/hour. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision (including dependent and domestic partner coverage), generous leave benefits including ten paid holidays, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) retirement savings plan.

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

In accordance with LifeLong Medical Care's commitment to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we have adopted a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; our patients and visitors; and the community at large from infectious diseases, that vaccinations may reduce. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Order of the California State Public Health Officer. Unless a reasonable medical or religious accommodation is approved, all employees must receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Responsibilities:

Outreach, engage and accept referrals and warm hand-offs, both in-person and virtually, from LifeLong providers and staff in order to facilitate integration of care and connect high risk/high indiviuals to health and social services

Develop consistent, trusting relationships with patients, promoting patient centered care and support for patients to achieve their health goals

Link individuals to clinical health services both on-site and elsewhere within LifeLongs network of clinics and wellness centers, including psychiatry, mental health counseling, harm reduction and substance use recovery treatment, Medication Assisted Treatment, and primary care medical treatment

Facilitate connections to a variety of health and social services both within and external to LifeLong, including referrals to community resources and assisting with scheduling appointments, health insurance, and access to medications and transportation

Promote client engagement in services and follow up with meeting personal goals by facilitating client participation in available incentive programs

Conduct outreach and harm reduction overdose prevention training at encampments and supportive housing sites

Facilitate peer support groups

Participate in preparation of resources for clients including meals and harm reduction kits and assures materials, supplies, and resources necessary for facilitating client care for program are available and organized

Assist clients with using on-site resources such as showers, laundry, device charging stations, and on-site activities

Support clients by accompanying them to appointments in the community, as needed.

Facilitate transportation for clients to various appointments in the community including driving them when a company vehicle is available and if in possession of a valid CA drivers license

Track patient attendance at appointments, follow up on no-shows to support and improve continuity of treatment and conduct appointment reminder calls per program protocol

Provide patients with accessible educational and other materials including resource lists, releases of information, consent forms and other documents and follow-up as needed to assure completion

Involve family members /significant others as necessary to increase patient participation and improve patient well-being

Document activities clearly in the electronic health record ent

Participate in required trainings, including the 80-hour training requirements for a peer support specialist through a Cal MHSA-approved training entity

Participate in case conferences and meetings as requested

Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in support of patients and staff

Qualifications: Current or recent lived experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer, and be willing to share experience.

At least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.

Valid CA drivers license, preferred, not required.

Willing to register and complete/or have successfully completed the 80-hour training requirements for a peer support specialist through a CalMHSA-approved training entity and pass the certification examination.

Willingness to learn health and social service resources.

Ability to learn electronic health record and word processing systems (EPIC/Microsoft Word)

Ability to document clearly into the electronic health record.

Problem solving skills and ability to be flexible and adaptive to change while maintaining a positive attitude.

Ability to prioritize tasks and complete assignments in a timely manner.

Ability to effectively present information to others, including other employees and community partners.

Ability to seek direction yet work independently using judgment and diplomacy.

Work in a team-oriented environment.

Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and be culturally sensitive, in a helpful, supportive manner.