Kitsap Mental Health Services Careers

Description

• Comprehensive and generous health, dental, and vision benefits
• Up to 19 days of PTO, 2 mental health days, and 10 paid holidays your first year (pro-rated for part-time)
• Company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Student loan payment assistance and extensive training
• An incredible team approach that is dynamic and collaborative

• The Peer Counselor provides the team with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to lead a satisfying life.
• The Peer Counselor is responsible for advocating for client choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.
• The Peer Counselor provides consultation to clients, families, and team staff in the areas of community resources, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and substance abuse services.

• Draw on common experiences as a peer to validate clients’ experience and to provide guidance and encouragement for clients to take responsibility and participate in their own recovery.  Promote hope and empowerment designed to help clients attain recovery goals and maintain the highest possible level of independence, even during periods of instability. 
• Provide individualized direct support to client according to that client’s plan, while supporting the client’s individual choice and building confidence by providing coaching, guidance, and support.
• Assist client in understanding components of recovery and resiliency and in applying skills to achieve life goals in the development of the recovery care plan.

1. Participate in clinical activities as directed by a supervisor including but not limited to:

• Facilitate approved group activities
• conduct ongoing observation and assessment of client mental status during each shift
• follow specific behavioral protocols for clients as directed by a supervisor
• other clinical activities as directed by a supervisor. 

1. Complete all paperwork involved in providing direct client care.

• Participate in shift pass downs as needed to ensure that client’s needs are met 24/7 while in our care.
• Act as an interpreter to the rest of team while providing expertise and consultation from a client perspective in areas such as symptoms, effects and side effects of medications, client opinions of treatment, and client experiences of recovery.
• Help clients and staff to identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination.
• Collaborate with staff and clients on awareness of client rights, including grievance and complaint procedures; support clients with filing, mediating, and resolving complaints.
• Increase client and staff awareness of client self-help and consumer advocacy groups which promote recovery, while acting as the liaison between the team and such groups.
• Assist in the provision of ongoing assessment and direct services to clients, responding to such challenges as an increase in suicidality, the need for substance abuse education and treatment, and the clients’ readiness for meaningful daily activity.
• Assist clients to plan and carry out social and leisure time activities to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Provide oral and written feedback on consumer progress to the treatment team, including the timely completion of clinical notes.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the sometimes conflicting demands of being both a peer to clients and an employee of the agency.  Seek appropriate clinical supervision where necessary, particularly around boundary issues.
• Attends orientations, staff meetings and keeps all yearly mandatory trainings up-to-date as required by the unit.
• In addition to the above, any other responsibilities appropriate to the position and not specifically listed in the job description.

• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
• Maintain a working knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
• Communication ‑ Communicates clearly and concisely.
• Computer skills - The ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the sometimes conflicting demands of being both a peer to clients and an employee of the agency.  Seek appropriate clinical supervision where necessary, particularly around boundary issues.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.
• Ability to provide oral and written feedback on consumer progress to the treatment team, including the timely completion of e-cet based clinical notes.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.