Peer Mentor

SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM. Candidates must be flexible and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed. Please note that, depending on program or operational needs, shifts may occasionally extend as late as 8:00 PM. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the Residential and Outpatient Peer Mentor is to provide mentoring, guidance and support for patients in two settings: those engaging in treatment in Fora’s 70 adult residential program and those engaging in treatment in the Outpatient program. The Peer Mentor works closely with the other peer mentors on the team and the addiction and mental health counselors, and community partners, and is part of a larger interdisciplinary team that includes residential assistants, counselors, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. The peer also benefits from supervision and integration with the Fora Peer Mentor team. Tasks are to be completed with little follow-up from the Peer Mentor Supervisor Support takes the form of teamwork, weekly team meeting, and bi-weekly supervision (group or individual) from the Peer Mentor Supervisor.

The primary role of the Fora Peer Mentor is:

• To serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking both to discontinue their substance use and to reduce harms from their substance use. Recognizing the need for human connection and support in all stages of change, the Peer provides emotional support; assisting with setting both recovery & harm reduction goals; restructuring life and daily schedule to accommodate goals; developing new healthy support networks; and gaining access to services and community resources as needed. 
• To connect individuals to self-help community supports and provide encouragement to develop lasting relationships in such settings. 
• To connect individuals to walk-in or urgent care clinics as needed.
• To follow up with patients in the community who are missing treatment appointments & provide support & coordination with the interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care.
• To assist patients in establishing primary care or dental care and accompany patients to medical appointments.
• To attend community meetings and promote program awareness and outreach.
• To facilitate smooth and pleasant transitions among all levels of care at Fora Health.
• Assisting patients in accessing transitional sober housing and housing funds as available. 
• To assist patients in accessing peer-led recovery support meetings in the community. 
• Facilitate peer mentor led group sessions to include housing retention groups. 

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Work under the supervision of the Peer Mentor Supervisor 
• Attend weekly Peer Mentor staffing meetings.
• Accurate and timely documentation of all engagements with patients in electronic medical records.
• Follow agency policies and procedures provided by Fora Health, including but not limited to: Fraud, Waste and Abuse, Conflict of Interest, Boundaries, Ethics, Confidentiality, Drug-Free Workplace and Harassment Policies.
• Attend training and meetings as scheduled and required by supervisor. 
• If deemed eligible to drive a company car, do so responsibly, with safety being the first priority and maintain your clean driving record to continue in this capacity.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Certification through a recognized certification board that may include and is not limited to MHACBO, or the State of Oregon including CRM, PSS and THW. 
• Internal hires have 6 months to attain this certification, and external hires will need to be certified upon hire. All hires must maintain certification as required by the role.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Peer Mentor shall work to establish professional and supportive relationships.  
• Demonstrate genuine concern for people struggling with substance use disorders and the ability to treat all people and agencies with dignity and respect;
• Work effectively within a team environment and be willing to receive and act upon feedback;
• Relate to patients, families and staff in a manner which is open-minded and non-judgmental in relation to individual differences and diverse backgrounds;
• Stay calm, alert, and emotionally available in a high stress, general public environment, effectively de-escalating as needed;
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in working with all others (patients, families, staff, referents, etc.);
• Demonstrate strong verbal communication and active listening skills;
• Creatively problem solve and serve as a resource (or know where to find resources) to patients and families;
• Demonstrate initiative, self confidence, and serve as a substance abstinent role model to patients;
• Model and encourage direct professional communication;

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• For employees with a history of substance use disorder, Fora Health’s policy requires certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety for this position.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass DHS criminal background and DMV checks.
• Position will require some amount of regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position works both in an indoor and outdoor environment with frequent travel among locations within the community
• Position requires some overtime, including evening and weekend work. Adjustment of work schedule may be required.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled, intoxicated or emotionally elevated patients and families.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided.