FACT Peer Support Specialist at Kitsap Mental Health Services

FACT Peer Support Specialist

Hiring Range: $22.07 - $26.58 Per Hour (includes FACT Differential)

Benefits: 

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage: Enjoy extensive health, dental, and vision benefits to support your well-being, with access to top-tier care and services.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Take advantage of up to 19 days of paid time off (PTO), plus 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays in your first year, giving you the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. (Pro-rated for part-time employees.)
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance: We’ve got you covered with short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all provided at no cost to you, so you can feel secure in every situation.
• Student Loan Assistance & Professional Development: Benefit from student loan repayment assistance and a commitment to your growth with extensive training and development opportunities to advance your career.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan: Take control of your future with a wide range of investment options in our 403(b) plan. Depending on eligibility, you could also receive generous company contributions to help grow your retirement savings.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access confidential support through our EAP, offering resources for personal and professional challenges, including counseling, financial advice, and more.
• Pets Best Pet Insurance: Keep your furry family members healthy with comprehensive pet insurance for your cats and dogs, covering a variety of treatments and services.
• 2MorrowHealth Behavioral Change App: Improve your mental and physical well-being with free access to 2MorrowHealth, a powerful app designed to support healthy behavior changes and wellness goals.
• Home Support Services: Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, we offer valuable resources to assist with your home journey, helping you navigate the process with confidence.
• Dynamic, Collaborative Team Environment: Join an incredible team that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and support, where every voice is heard and every idea valued.

Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) is hiring a Peer Support Specialist to join our Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team. FACT provides time-limited, intensive services to clients most impacted by serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Client Caseloads are small to assure individualized attention to client needs, until their treatment goals are reached, and are then transferred back to Adult Outpatient services. Most services are provided in clients’ homes and community settings to ensure individualized care. As a Peer Support Specialist, you will use your lived experience to inspire hope, empower clients in their recovery journey, and serve as a bridge between the client perspective and the clinical team.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Use personal lived experience to validate and encourage clients, promoting hope, empowerment, and independence.
• Coach and support clients with daily living skills, including personal hygiene, transportation, employment, social skills, and household management.
• Assist clients in transitions from hospital to community and provide companionship, money management, and medication support.
• Provide expertise to the team from a client perspective, including feedback on treatment, medications, recovery experiences, and symptom management.
• Assist clients with navigating housing, finances, healthcare, legal requirements, and community resources.
• Support clients in symptom management using Motivational Interviewing and recovery-based approaches, including resources such as the Pat Deegan Resource Library.
• Advocate for client rights, including grievance and complaint procedures, and support clients in resolving concerns.
• Engage clients in meaningful social and leisure activities, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Participate in daily team meetings, offering peer insights to enhance client care.
• Support harm reduction strategies for clients using substances, promoting stability and safety.
• Serve as a primary clinician for up to 25 clients, providing case management, treatment planning, and documentation.
• Provide psychoeducation to clients and families about recovery and mental health diagnoses, particularly psychotic disorders.
• Maintain professional boundaries and seek supervision as needed when balancing peer and employee roles.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Entry level (no prior related work experience)
• This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must meet agency driving requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement of 21 years old, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and having reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSES/CREDENTIALS: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration. Certification as a Peer Support Specialist in the state of Washington is required and must be obtained within six months or less from date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, social services, or behavioral health field.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
• Experience working with clients with diagnosed mental health disorders in a community mental health setting, client Clubhouse, or in vocational, social service, or educational settings.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

• 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.

SKILLS:

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

ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.

• Able to assist in building positive working relationships with staff of all agency departments.

Worksite-Specific Requirements: check applicable worksite(s)

 WORKSITE #1: Bentley Campus

 WORKSITE #2: Outreach

REQUIREMENT: Active Driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle report with reliable, insured transportation.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, cellular telephone, etc. Usage of motor vehicle.

Work Environment: Office, outreach.

Mental/Physical Requirements: While performing the job duties, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen.  Peripheral vision is also required for this position. Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.