Peer Support Specialist - oregon State Hospital

Peer Support Specialist-Oregon State Hospital

Oregon State Hospital (OSH) is part of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The hospital falls under OHA's Addictions and Mental Health's Division and provides direct psychiatric hospital care to adults from throughout Oregon who are unable to be served in a community setting. At OSH, we put the patient first, and employees play an essential role in achieving the hospital's vision to be a psychiatric hospital that inspires hope, promotes safety and supports recovery for all. At maximum capacity, OSH Salem and Junction City will be able to serve a combined 794 patients on 28 treatment units and 9 residential cottages. Services include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as community outreach and peer support. Oregon State Hospital is a Joint Commission-Accredited and CMS-certified public psychiatric hospital providing psychiatric and residential treatment services to persons committed by the Oregon courts as part of the state mental health service system.

This position is to provide direct program support to patients in the implementation of advocacy, patient and OSH staff education, group and individual support, peer-operated services, (i.e., Empowerment Center), individual wellness planning, and recovery maintenance in Salem. This position provides support to the patient individually by the patient's request and in a variety of Treatment Mall, Unit-Based, or Community-Based activities and Empowerment Center groups. Incumbents can practice independently, using supervision from the Director of Peer Recovery Services.

Peer Program Service Delivery:

• Provide 1:1 peer support to individually requested or intra-departmentally referred patients.
• Share lived experiences as appropriate to build rapport, validate experiences, and promote social learning through relational exchange.
• Develop and facilitate peer-centered, peer-led groups that provide relationship skill-building and support on Treatment Malls, hospital units, and within the community.
• Support patients in exploring coping and recovery skills to respond to challenges in their treatment and care and navigate institutional and personal recovery journeys in alignment with self-determined values and abilities.
• Provide education and resources to patients on communication skills, community resources/natural supports, peer support and other related self-advocacy and recovery skills.
• Encourage patients' development of actions centered in hope and choice.
• Provide education and resources to patients regarding their rights and responsibilities as members of the OSH community.
• Introduce patients and OSH team members to peer-operated and consumer driven services at OSH and within the community. Link and coordinate the patients' receipt of such services in conjunction with the patient's treatment goals.

Minimum qualifications include three years of experience working with mentally, emotionally, behaviorally, or physically impaired clients. A bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Special qualifications include completion of a recognized Peer Support training and certification as a Traditional Health Care Worker. Lived experience of legal system involvement/incarceration is preferred.

Desired attributes include lived experience of legal system involvement/incarceration and knowledge, skills, and abilities working with persons with mental illness.

To be hired, you must have a criminal records and driving records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment.

Application guidance includes ensuring the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attaching a current copy of your resume and cover letter. External candidates should visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit their application. Internal candidates must apply through their Workday employee login.

Benefits of joining our team include a competitive benefits package, training opportunities, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.