Cook - Institution jobs in Iowa

DSHS Institution Counselor 2 (Peer Support Specialist)
 
Maple Lane Forensic Recovery Program (MLFRP) refers to The Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) Residential Treatment Facility (RTF), Maple Lane Forensic Recovery Program (MLFRP), is in Grand Mound located in Centralia, WA. The program provides behavioral health care for up to 30 residents who are adjudicated as not guilty by reason of insanity and courted ordered to inpatient treatment. MLFRP’s mission is to promote recovery, resilience, and rehabilitation for those residents leading to successful community transition.
 
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) has experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe or persistent mental illness and is willing to use and share his or her personal, practical experience, knowledge, and firsthand insight with residents. This position will assist with navigation of resident recovery processes, be able to appropriately share their experiences with the residents, be able to coach residents to advocate for themselves regarding; hygiene, employment, social skills, household duties, public transport, or other tasks deemed necessary by treatment team.
 
Some of what you'll do: 

• Provides clients with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management and the persistence required by required by residents to lead satisfying life
• Set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing the sometimes conflicting demands of being both a peer support to resident and an employee of MLFRP
• Provide guidance in constructing and encouraging residents to take responsibility and participate in their own wellness or recovery plan
• Promote hope and empowerment with willingness to share their own experiences (as appropriate) in a way designed to help residents attain recovery goals and maintain the highest possible level of independence, even during periods of instability with the passion and enthusiasm for peer support and the possibility for recovery for everyone
• Maintains certification in Crisis Prevention Intervention facilitation (or other designated de-escalation training appointed by BHA)
• Provide coaching guidance and support from a strength-based perspective in areas to include transition services from hospital to community supported companionship, money management and medication management
• Educate residents to find and effectively use a primary care physician, dentist, and other medical specialists as required
• Provide practical help and support to help residents access other necessary services such as finding alternatives such as SSL, SSDL and Veterans Administration
• Assist residents to plan and carry out social and leisure time activities to include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Provide strong verbal and written feedback on consumer progress to the treatment team, including the timely completion of documents
• Participates in new employee orientation and annual training as requested

We are looking for professionals who demonstrate: 

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to advocate for residents and support treatment team decisions. 
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultures.
• Ability to form trusting and reciprocal relationships.
• Possess and maintain valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report and reliable insured transportation. 

What we're looking for: 

• Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist certification and at least two years’ experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

OR

A Bachelor's degree preferably involving major study in sociology or other social science; or satisfactory completion of two years of college, preferably with emphasis in one of the social sciences and two years' experience in mental health, mental retardation or social casework.

AND

One year of social service experience.

Graduate training in behavioral social science may be substituted for experience.

OR

Equivalent combination of education/experience

 
Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.  
 
Questions? Please contact sharon.sterling@dshs.wa.gov OR call (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 06090.