POSITION TITLE: Peer Support Specialist – Mobile OTP Unit

DEPARTMENT: NorthStar Opioid Treatment Program

LOCATION: Vancouver, Washington

STATUS: Hourly; Full-Time

WAGE RANGE: $29.90 - $34.35 per hour

SCHEDULE: Tuesday – Friday, 6:30 am – 3:30 pm, Saturday 6:45 am – 1:00 pm

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes a Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Supports patients in their recovery journey by offering empathy, encouragement, and connection to essential resources within a mobile opioid treatment program (OTP) setting. This role utilizes lived experience, or a deep understanding of substance use recovery, to engage patients in a dignified, person-centered manner. The Peer Support Specialist works in community-based and mobile settings to reduce barriers to care, improve engagement, and promote recovery-oriented outcomes. This position adheres to all confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and upholds the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Patient Engagement & Support

Provides peer-based support, encouragement, and advocacy to patients in recovery.
Builds trusting relationships with patients through shared understanding, respect, and nonjudgmental communication.
Engages patients in services within the mobile unit and community settings to support ongoing participation in treatment.
Assists patients in identifying recovery goals and connecting those goals to available services and supports.
Serves as a recovery role model, demonstrating hope and resilience.

Care Coordination & Resource Navigation

Maintains daily availability to assist patients with accessing critical resources and referrals.
Connects patients to housing, transportation, primary care, behavioral health, and social services.
Coordinates with community agencies, tribal programs, and service providers to support continuity of care.
Maintains a current and comprehensive knowledge of community resources.
Develops and maintains resource guides for use in patient referrals.

Mobile Unit & Community-Based Work

Provides services in a mobile clinic environment, including outreach in community settings.
Participates in outreach activities such as health fairs, community events, and engagement efforts targeting underserved populations.
Supports engagement of patients who may be hesitant or ambivalent about treatment.

Administrative & Documentation Support

Assists with basic patient engagement workflows such as check-in support, scheduling coordination, and tracking attendance as appropriate.
Documents peer interactions and services in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with organizational standards.
Supports communication between patients and care team members.
Participates in staff meetings and interdisciplinary team collaboration.

Advocacy & Team Collaboration

Acts as an advocate for patients and families within the care team.
Collaborates effectively with counselors, medical providers, case managers, and administrative staff.
Promotes a team-based, respectful, and recovery-oriented care environment.

Professional Conduct & Compliance

Maintains strict confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Adheres to ethical guidelines and peer support scope of practice.
Completes all required trainings and competencies.
Participates in ongoing professional development and supervision.
Adapts to evolving workflows, safety protocols, and mobile service delivery needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of substance use recovery principles and recovery-oriented systems of care.
Understanding of community resources and social service systems.
Ability to engage individuals from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to listen empathetically and build trust.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries while using lived experience appropriately.
Ability to work independently in mobile and community-based settings.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation.
Basic computer skills, including use of electronic health records and communication tools.
Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-focused in high-stress environments.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.
A current, active credential as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in the state of Washington. Please note that a CPS credential will not be sufficient for this role, and we are not hiring trainees at this time.
Lived experience with substance use recovery or a strong understanding of recovery principles.
A valid driver’s license and ability to travel for mobile unit services.
Must be able to pass background screening in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

One (1) year of experience in behavioral health, social services, or peer support.
Experience working in an OTP or substance use disorder treatment setting.
Experience in outreach, community engagement, or mobile service delivery.
Familiarity with Medicaid systems and community-based resources.

Background Investigation Requirements:

Pre-employment drug screening.
Reference, education, and employment verification.
Criminal background and sanction checks as required by federal, state, and/or tribal regulations.
Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation, or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and communicate effectively. The ability to communicate in person and via phone is required. The employee occasionally is required to move throughout the facility and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a mobile clinic, community settings, and occasional office environments. Exposure to outdoor conditions, varying weather, and community-based environments. Employees may encounter individuals in distress or crises. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Tribal preference in accordance with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

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