Peer Counselor

Lifeline Connections • Vancouver, WA

4d • $19 - $23

About The Position

Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

The Peer Counselor works under the supervision of the Team lead with clinical oversight provided by program MHP or SUDP. This position provides community based substance use and co-occurring clinical services to patients. In fulfilling these duties, the incumbent performs the following duties independently:

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; College degree in a social science preferred;
• Possess certification as a Certified Peer Counselor consistent with WAC 246-341, or ability and willingness to obtain certification within 60 days of employment, and disclose self to be a person in recovery from substance use;
• In successful recovery for 1 or more years and/or a family member of an individual with substance use disorder.
• Current Washington State Department of Health agency affiliated credentials required prior to starting the position;
• Familiarity with Washington State regulations related to the provision of mental health services (RCW 71.05) and substance use services (WAC 246-341);
• Current unencumbered driver license and proof of current car insurance required;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Great attendance; and
• Ability to work well with others.

Responsibilities

• Collaboratively work within the Homeless Outreach and Stabilization Team (HOST) Program in Clark County. This program will be designed to serve people who are living with serious substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, are experiencing homelessness, and whose severity of behavioral health symptom acuity level creates a barrier to accessing and receiving conventional behavioral health services and outreach models. HOST teams work throughout the county to outreach and engage the most vulnerable individuals into services with the ultimate goals of addressing their behavioral and physical health needs, increasing stability, obtaining housing, and transitioning them into long-term services for their substance use disorders or co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Host teams will utilize the principles consistent with modified Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model that will best serve targeted population.
• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to validate patients’ experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement to patients’ to take responsibility and actively participate in their own recovery.
• Serve as a mentor to patients to promote hope and empowerment.
• Act as an interpreter to assist team members without lived experience to better understand and empathize with each patient’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
• Provide expertise and consultation from a behavioral health participant perspective to the entire team concerning patient experiences on symptoms of substance use and/or co-occurring disorders, the effects and side-effects of medications patients, responses to and opinions of treatment, and patients experiences of recovery.
• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each patient’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which patient self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
• Help patients identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination associated with substance use and/or co-occurring disorders and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
• Help other team members identify and understand culture-wide stigma and discrimination against people with mental health and substance use disorders and develop strategies to eliminate stigma within the team.
• Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of patient’s rights in order to help patients to improve their knowledge of their rights and grievance procedures.
• Collaborate with the team to help patients’ learn about pertinent grievance procedures and support patients’ with filing, mediating, and resolving grievances.
• Increase awareness of and support patient participation in mutual-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
• Serve as the liaison between the team and peer-run programs such as mutual-help groups and drop-in centers.
• Shared duties in the provision of treatment and substance use services.

Benefits

• Lifeline Connections strives to be an employer of choice by offering regular and full-time employees a robust and highly competitive benefits package designed to support both personal and family well-being. Our comprehensive benefits include multiple options for medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• In addition, Lifeline Connections provides employer-paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance, along with access to supplemental coverage options. Full-time employees and eligible part-time employees may also enroll in our 401(k) retirement plan, helping support long-term financial wellness.
• Beyond benefits coverage, Lifeline Connections is proud to offer generous paid time off. Both full-time and part-time employees earn PTO at competitive accrual rates that increase with years of service, allowing for meaningful time away from work. Employees also receive paid holidays and personal holidays, reinforcing our commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED