Peer Bridger

Position Summary:

The Peer Bridger engages individuals in psychiatric hospitals to offer support with the discharge and community reintegration process. This position supports clients from their initial crisis contact, through hospital admission and discharge, and for up to 120 days after discharge to assist with establishing care for ongoing mental health services. This position serves all clients who reside in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant Counties, though they may be hospitalized or receiving inpatient treatment across the state.

Responsibilities:

• Engages with individuals in the hospital setting to provide support with community reintegration and connection to services
• Provides services in community settings, inpatient psychiatric facilities, or community behavioral agencies, including crisis follow-up and support and helping clients to navigate the mental health system
• Shares personal recovery history as appropriate to engage client, develop a trusting relationship, promote a sense of self-direction, develop self-advocacy skills, and motivate client toward recovery
• Assists each client to develop a wellness plan that accounts for their goals, preferences, strengths, needs, and interests, and helps the client to successfully manage their life in the community
• Supports clients with developing independent living skills, building a social support system, accessing resources, and exploring employment opportunities
• Provides a warm handoff to the client as they transition into ongoing behavioral health treatment, which can include attending appointments, assisting with paperwork, and crisis planning
• 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.
• 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 as requested 
• 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 the 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
  • Ability to work extended hours to accommodate afternoon & evening appointments and travel

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required

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
• Willing to share own experiences of mental health recovery
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently and as a collaborative team member with Catholic Charities staff and community partners
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community including appropriate professional dress
• Proficient with general office procedures and equipment, including computer usage and standard desktop applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and internet
• Preferred: experience with the state hospital system
• Preferred: experience working with individuals from diverse cultures

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
• 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, 8-5
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.