Lifeline Connections is a community-based behavioral health organization that specializes in providing confidential and compassionate care to individuals who experience substance use and/or mental health conditions.

Our Vision - As the premier provider of substance use and mental health services in the Pacific Northwest, we are respected and the most trusted resource for behavioral health treatment and whole-person care. We provide a comprehensive continuum of coordinated quality services, foster enduring relationships, and empower our communities to truly thrive.

Our Mission - Through superior customer service, high quality programs, and well-trained and dedicated staff, we inspire hope and support lifesaving changes for people affected by substance use and mental health conditions.

This position is funded by the Opioid Abatement grant, available for a maximum of one year. This position may be eliminated at the end of the grant cycle.

 

Join the Jail Transition Services Team at Lifeline Connections and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives!

 

MAJOR DUTIES: The Pathfinder Peer Counselor works under the supervision of the Program Director.  This position provides peer support and clinical services to participants incarcerated at the Clark County Jail. The Peer works with an average of six to twelve participants, participates in statewide support calls/coordination meetings, engages individuals eligible for Jail Transitions Services, provides service linkage upon release from custody and works with a team to support community transition.

In fulfilling these duties, the incumbent performs the following duties independently:

Complete the Intersections of Behavioral Health and the Law training, within 90 calendar days of training being made available.Work with an average of six to twelve program individuals.Routinely engage and interact with potential program participants.Participate in statewide Peer Pathfinder administrative support conference calls/coordination meetings as scheduled.Participate in Peer Pathfinder training events scheduled by HCAWork to engage Individuals eligible for Jail Transitions services. Work directly with Individuals upon release and follow them through their transition back into the community to ensure linkage relevant services for their recovery.Support the jail transition team with release planning to include the following:Function as a member of the Individual’s jail transition team.Identify Individual-perceived barriers to discharge, assist the Individual with working through barriers and assure the Individual that they will be supported throughout the process.Coordinating in conjunction with release planning efforts for the individual to travel back to his or her community.The frequency and duration of Peer Pathfinder services will be determined by the Individual’s needs, the service level required to help the Individual stay safely in the community, and caseload prioritization. Peer Pathfinder services will be decreased when the Individual is receiving behavioral health treatment and peer services from a behavioral health agency or when the Individual no longer wants the Peer Pathfinder’s support.Facilitate a “warm hand-off’’ to the behavioral health agency chosen by the Individual. Warm hand-off activities may include:Being present and supportive during the Individual’s first appointment and during the intake evaluation, primary provider, or prescriber appointments, etc.Helping the Individual complete any necessary paperwork for receiving Behavioral Health services.Supporting the Individual’s self-advocacy in the development of their own community treatment plan and treatment activities.Peer Pathfinder engagement activities may include:Interacting with potential participants.Developing a trusting relationship with participants.Promoting a sense of self-direction and self-advocacy.Sharing their experiences in recovery.Helping motivate through sharing the strengths and challenges of their own recovery.Considering the Individual’s medical issues and helping them develop wellness plans they can pursue in accordance with their physician recommendations.Helping the Individual plan how they will successfully manage their life in the community.Educating Individuals about resources in their home community.When requested by the Individual join in treatment team meetings if there are no safety concerns. Help to convey the Individual’s perspectives and assist the Individual with understanding the process.Community-based post-release activities will include:Assisting the Individual in developing a crisis plan with the Individual’s behavioral health service agency. The Peer Pathfinder may be identified as a non-crisis resource in the plan.Work to connect the Individual with natural support resources and the local recovery community and attend meetings as allowed.Support the Individual in developing skills to facilitate trust-based relationships, develop strategies for maintaining wellness and develop skills to support relationships.Assist the Individual in developing a life structure, including skills for daily living such as visits to coffee shops, use of local transportation, opening a bank account, work effectively with a payee if needed, understand benefits, budget planning, shopping and meal preparation, access leisure activities, find a church or faith home, attain, and maintain housing, etc.Support the Individual in developing skills to schedule, track and attend appointments with providers.Assist the Individual develop skills for self-advocacy so that the Individual can better define his or her treatment plan and communicate clearly with professionals such as psychiatric prescribers, primary care doctors, etc.The Peer Pathfinder should also help Individuals prepare for appointments and identify questions or comments the Individual might have for the provider.Explore supported employment that addresses the following:Employment goals and how they relate to recovery.The availability of additional training and education to help the Individual become employable.The array of employment programs and supported employment opportunities available within the region.Other duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Lived experience of behavioral health recovery and the willingness to share his/her own experiences.Ability to work flexible hours.Valid Washington Driver’s license and proof of car insurance or the ability to travel via public transportation.Ability to meet timely documentation requirements.Ability to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner as a team member with jail staff, Behavioral Health Agencies, MCO/BH-ASO staff, and program Individuals.Strong written and verbal communication skills.General office and computer experience.Possess certification of Washington Certified Peer Support Specialist consistent with WAC 246-341, or ability and willingness to obtain certification within 60 days of employment.Current Washington State Department of Health counselor credentials required, can be obtained at time of hire;Two years’ experience working as a peer, preferred.Dress professionally and appropriately.Ability and experience working with people from diverse cultures, preferred.Familiarity with the criminal court system, preferredAbility to form trusting and reciprocal relationshipsIn successful recovery for 1 or more years and/or a family member of an individual with mental health or substance use conditions;Familiarity with Washington State regulations related to the provision of mental health services (RCW 71.05) and substance use services (WAC 246-341), preferred; andGreat attendance.

 

 GUIDELINES

This position requires that the incumbent obtain and maintain Washington State credentials through the Department of Health.  

 

COMPLEXITY

The incumbent provides community based peer support services to participants who differ widely in age and socioeconomic status and who may possess a variety of chronic and serious social, behavioral and psychological barriers.  Strong interpersonal, sound judgment and creativity are required to help implement and deliver treatment services that meet the complex needs of the participants.

 

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with the members of the treatment team, participants, significant others of the participants, representatives of various community agencies specializing in the treatment of substance use and mental health conditions, and related community representatives including hospital personnel, lawyers, probation officers, and other court officials.   All personal contacts are carried out in accordance with federal and state laws dealing with the confidentiality of client records.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, speak clearly, hear and use hands and fingers to manipulate writing utensils and keys on a keyboard.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands or arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or lift and/or move maximum of 15 lbs.  The employee is regularly required to effectively operate an automobile.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Working hours are spent indoors in offices or other meeting rooms or in the community meeting with participants in their homes or at court.  Supervision of outdoor activities, visits to community agencies, and participation in staff retreats and staff development activities will be required.

 

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Program Director

$17.25 to $19.75 hourly depending on experience. 

 

Application Process:
To apply electronically for this position, please click "Apply Now" or visit our ADP career center. For more information on this and other positions, please visit our website at www.lifelineconnections.org

 

The Benefits:

Lifeline Connections strives to be your employer of choice by offering our regular/full-time employees a generous benefits package. Our plans cover 85% of medical, dental, and vision costs at the employee level and 75% for all dependent plans. The majority of out-of-pocket costs  (i.e. co-pays, prescriptions, and deductibles) under our medical plans are also covered. We also offer other benefits, such as: employer paid Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and supplemental coverage.

 

Our full-time employees and some part-time employees also qualify for our 401(K) plan that matches dollar for dollar up to 5%. On top of all that, our full-time employees receive approximately 4 weeks of paid time off during their first year of employment (accrual rates increase with years of service), as well as 1 personal holiday and 12 paid holidays per year!

 

There are many other supplemental benefits we are glad to offer such as tuition reimbursement and discounted cellular service amongst others.

 

Send us your resume and let's talk about you joining our team!