Mental Health Peer Specialist - HOST

Description

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day (9am
-5pm)

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

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 multiply disabled 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.

Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition (HOST) is a multi‑disciplinary team serving homeless adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and co‑occurring disorders. The team prioritizes services to those who are highly vulnerable, lack service connections or other support, and are unwilling or unable to engage in traditional service models. The team works throughout the greater Seattle area to provide critical survival services and engagement with the ultimate goal of addressing acute mental and physical health needs, increasing stability, obtaining housing, and transitioning to long‑term services.

Referrals to this program will often include individuals with a history of involuntary detainments or observable behavioral health challenges, they often will not endorse a mental health or substance use issue, or have the insight into the impact of their well‑being and access to care and resources.

The HOST Mental Health Peer Specialist uses their lived experience of recovery from mental illness and/or substance use and addiction, plus skills learned in formal training, to assertively engage HOST clients into intensive services. This position requires a high degree of coordination and collaboration with other DESC programs as well as outside agencies. This role is supervised by a HOST/Pathfinder Clinical Supervisor who will consult with the SAGE Peer Supervisors as needed for peer supervision support and resources.

A condition of employment is completion of the Washington State Peer Counselor Training and obtaining certification within one year of employment at DESC.

• Participate as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team of clinical, outreach, medical, peer support, and intensive case management staff to provide a variety of services focused on stabilization and transition to long‑term behavioral health or other appropriate ongoing services.
• Provide outreach and engagement services as assigned, in clinic, on the streets, shelters, encampments, DESC projects, and other community areas. On occasion, services may be provided in outlying King County areas.
• Identify individuals in need, screen for appropriateness to services, develop rapport and trust while offering support, and assist with immediate and basic needs to individuals who are homeless. Efforts are balanced between initial outreach and follow‑up activity.
• Assist in obtaining and coordinating services, including services relating to daily living activities, personal financial planning, benefit enrollment, transportation, and case management. Link HOST clients to supportive and long‑term resources, including behavioral, medical, and substance use treatment support and housing.
• Provide peer recovery support to HOST clients. Integrate personal experience with mental illness and/or substance use disorders into work with program participants.
• Assist consumers with voicing and identifying their…