OSPO Older Adult Peer Support Specialist

JOB TITLE: Oregon Senior Peer Outreach

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

LOCATION: Remote

FLSA: .25 FTE (10 hours per week)

SUPERVISOR: OSPO Program Supervisor

Pay Grade: B06 ($20.96 - $29.38 per hour, depending on experience)

                            *** Additional Pay for Shift Differentials on Weekday nights and weekends! (This ranges from $1 to $2.50 per hour)

APPLICANTS RESIDING IN WA COUNTY PREFERRED

Apply Directly at https://ccswebsite.org/employment/
 

Our mission is to provide dynamic, progressive, and diverse supports to improve the well-being of our communities and we’re looking for motivated employees to help us continue our vision!

The Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Program reduces isolation and loneliness by providing individual weekly telephone outreach calls and weekly Aging Better Together online support groups. Older Adult Peer Support Specialists trained in Intentional Peer Support (IPS) encourage program participants 

to create their own community of support, decreasing feelings of loneliness and social isolation and leading to improvements in health and wellbeing.

The Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Program is a program of Community Counseling Solutions whose mission is to provide dynamic, progressive, and diverse supports to improve the well-being of our communities.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Older Adult Peer Support Specialist is committed to developing mutually beneficial relationships where both people learn and grow together. The goal of Intentional Peer Support is to foster connections with older adults and persons with disabilities, developing trust, mutual respect, exploring their worldview, and maintaining a focus on moving toward their desired outcomes. This work is carried out with a commitment to diversity and equity, respecting all populations, ethnicities, and communities.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received

The Older Adult Peer Support Specialists are supervised by Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Supervisor. The OSPO Program Supervisor will meet bi-weekly for supervision and conduct a yearly performance evaluation in accordance with CCS policy.

Supervision Exercised

The Older Adult Peer Support Specialist does not supervise other employees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Older Adult Peer Support Specialist will demonstrate an understanding of, and be proficient in, IPS and will use IPS in all interactions with senior peer support participants.

Maintain a call calendar/schedule and make regular 30 minute weekly scheduled calls to individuals enrolled in the program, provide IPS support and information regarding resources as requested. OSPO worker may offer a second weekly 30-minute call when a program participant expresses the need for a second call.

The Older Adult Peer Support Specialist may also be assigned to co-facilitate an Aging Better Together online support group.

Older Adult Peer Support Specialists will document all contacts in the Program database in accordance with best practice standards (no later than 72 hours).

Older Adult Peer Support Specialist will keep supervisor informed of critical issues or changes in the status of participants.

Identify local addiction and mental health recovery support resources and older adult or alter-able resources that are available in designated area, using the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) website. If requested, assist in connecting with these resources.

Attend meetings, conferences, trainings, and supervision sessions as required.

The Oregon Senior Outreach Program is a Program of Community Counseling Solutions (CCS). Older Adult Peer Support Specialists will follow all CCS policies. These polices include, but are not limited to, HIPPA, confidentiality, abuse reporting, and professional boundaries.

Other duties may include co-facilitating a weekly peer support group or other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

• Experience working older adults or disabled individuals is preferred; an interest in the potential resource needs of older adults and disabled individuals is essential.
• Many peers have experienced challenges with their own mental health or are in recovery from substance abuse or addiction.
• A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of 6 months experience is desired in working or volunteering with individuals who have addiction and/or mental health issues and/or older adults.
• A working knowledge of standard office equipment, including computers, phone systems, cell phones, copy and fax machines, and email.

Certifications

• Must possess a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Certification of Intentional Peer Support (IPS) Core Training. This training will be provided if needed.
• Must be certified by the Oregon Health Authority as a Peer Support Specialist or by ACCBO as a Certified Recovery Mentor within 6 months of hire and meet requirements to maintain certification(s).

Other Skills and Abilities

• The ability to meet participants where they are respectfully, and without judgement.
• Awareness and respect of cross-cultural issues and diverse communities, dual diagnosis/mental health/addictions issues, disability considerations, effects of trauma.to rules and laws pertaining to client confidentiality.
• Ability to identify with seniors (55+) and persons with disabilities, including those from underrepresented communities.
• Be professional and ethical in all interactions with, Senior Peer Support participants, CCS employees, community partners, and other relevant individuals.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and possess good organization and time management skills. Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Must be comfortable working with computer applications or willing to learn.?Applications include Microsoft e- mail and Teams, data entry and training programs, as well as others as needed.
• A diverse staff, reflective of our community, is integral and welcome. Verbal and written fluency in Spanish is desired, but not mandatory.

Criminal Background Checks

Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use computer and phone systems that require fine manipulation, grasping, typing, and reaching.

The employee is also regularly required to sit; talk and hear; use hands and fingers and handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel and/or squat when adjusting equipment or retrieving supplies.

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

This position may be exposed to the everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places in a sponsored location (i.e., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, electrical shock, etc.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a designated office location or an approved home setting Occasional out of area travel and overnight stays will be required for attendance at meetings and/or training.

Community Counseling Solutions

IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MEMBER OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION