Peer Bridger

Position Summary:

The Peer Bridger will serve Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant Counties to attempt to engage individuals in psychiatric hospitals on a voluntary basis to support the discharge and community reintegration process. The Peer Bridger supports clients by connecting them to community supports and resources across the region for ongoing assistance. This position supports clients from their initial crisis contact, through hospital admission and discharge, and return for establishment of care for ongoing mental health services. The role may also provide follow-up support if requested for up to 120 days. This position requires extensive travel throughout the state to meet with clients in behavioral health hospitals and psychiatric units.

Responsibilities:

• Provides outreach to individuals in the hospital setting and support with community reintegration and connection to services, including attending appointments as requested
• Provides time limited peer services and related services to or on behalf of the persons served
• Provides services in community settings, inpatient psychiatric facilities or community behavioral agencies, including crisis follow-up and support, helping clients to navigate the mental health system, and appropriately sharing personal recovery experiences to engage clients
• Assists in referral and provision of:

• Intake and psychological assessments
• Family treatment
• Medication management
• Therapeutic psychoeducation including Illness Management and Recovery
• Referrals to ITA or LRA services

• Provides continuity of care in support of established client/therapist relationships and best practices, coordinates care with providers internally and outside of the agency with a Release of Information.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with Catholic Charities staff and community resources, coordinates client treatment with other providers, and initiates referrals to medical providers and other community resources when appropriate.
• Works with the Program Manager to ensure quality assurance reviews are conducted on client files and related services
• Reports and documents all services in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) as well as other contractually required systems within required timeframes
• Attend all required individual supervision, group supervision, all staff meetings, clinical training, community meetings, and other trainings asked to attend by management and supervisor
• Promote Catholic Charities programs while meeting with other resources while in the community
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires that physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision and skill.

• Long Distance Driving
  
  
  
  • Ability to drive six to eight hours in any given day to provide outreach services to clients detained to psychiatric hospitals throughout the State of WA
  
  
  
  

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Preferred: At least two years' experience providing peer services
• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year

Special Skills

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required
• Strong family and individual clinical case management skills
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, and as a team member
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community
• Utilize Google Calendar

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver's license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider
• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration and Peer Counselor or Peer Specialist certification through the Washington State Health Care Authority; or Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential from the Washington State Department of Health

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am- 5:00pm

Wage Range: $22.26-$27.56 per hour, depending on experience

Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.