Project Nurture Peer Mentor

1. Have a basic knowledge of substance use disorders, harm reduction & trauma-informed care.
2. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the care of each individual.
3. Respect the diversity and uniqueness of each person and organization we serve.
4. Recognize that a healthy work environment is maintained through the practice of mutual respect and healthy self-care.
5. Uphold the highest standard of customer service to patients, referents and all community partners.

• To serve as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking both to discontinue their substance use and to reduce harms from their substance use. Recognizing the need for human connection and support in all stages of change, the Peer provides emotional support; assisting with setting both recovery & harm reduction goals,; restructuring life and daily schedule to accommodate goals; developing new healthy support networks; and gaining access to services and community resources as needed.
• To connect individuals to self-help community supports and provide encouragement to develop lasting relationships in such settings.
• To connect patients to prenatal, postnatal and pediatric medical providers.
• To follow up with patients in the community who are missing medical or treatment  appointments & provide support & coordination with the interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care. This will include weekly team meetings with OHSU Adventist Health East Clinic medical providers.
• To assist patients in establishing primary care or dental care and accompany patients to medical appointments.
• To attend community meetings and promote program awareness and outreach.
• To facilitate smooth and pleasant transitions among all levels of care at Fora Health.
• To assist patients in accessing community resources as identified as a need by the patient and care team.
• Facilitate peer led groups to build community between patients who are pregnant or parenting.
• Coordinate care and support patients that are DHS child welfare involved in navigating court and DHS systems.

• Work under the supervision of the Director of Clinical Programs
• Attend weekly Peer Mentor staffing meetings and weekly Fora and OHSU Adventist care team huddles.
• Accurate and timely documentation of all engagements with patients in electronic medical records.
• Follow agency policies and procedures provided by Fora Health, including but not limited to: Fraud, Waste and Abuse, Conflict of Interest, Boundaries, Ethics, Confidentiality, Drug-Free Workplace and Harassment Policies.
• Attend training and meetings as scheduled and required by supervisor.
• Be deemed eligible to drive a company car, do so responsibly, with safety being the first priority and maintain your clean driving record to continue in this capacity.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

• Certification through a recognized certification board that may include and is not limited to MHACBO, or the State of Oregon including CRM, PSS and THW.
• All hires must maintain certification as required by the role.
• CRM, PSS or THW with lived experience of substance use receovery,  pregnancy and/or parenting and with DHS child welfare involvement preferred

• Peer Mentor shall work to establish professional and supportive relationships. 

• Demonstrate genuine concern for people struggling with substance use disorders and the ability to treat all people and agencies with dignity and respect;
• Work effectively within a team environment and be willing to receive and act upon feedback;
• Relate to patients, families and staff  in a manner which is open-minded and non-judgmental in relation to individual differences and diverse backgrounds;
• Stay calm, alert, and emotionally available in a high-risk, general public environment, effectively de-escalating as needed;
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in working with all others (patients, families, staff, referents, etc.);
• Demonstrate strong verbal communication and active listening skills;
• Creatively problem solve and serve as a resource (or know where to find resources) to patients and families;
• Demonstrate initative, self confidence, and serve as a substance abstinent role model to patients;
• Model and encourage direct professional communication;

• Verification of Sobriety, per Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) standards
• DHS Background Check Approval  
• Successful completion of Drug Test upon hire
• Documentation of Tuberculosis test and/or evaluation with negative results or evidence of non-communicability
• Be flexible to work a variety of shifts including early morning, late night, and weekends

• This position works both in an indoor and outdoor environment with frequent travel among locations within the community
• Position requires some overtime, including evening and weekend work.  Adjustment of work schedule may be required.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled, intoxicated or emotionally disturbed patients and families.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES: click here to apply via the employee intranet site

ABOUT FORA HEALTH

Looking for a meaningful career? At Fora Health, we employ a team of passionate, diverse and caring people who are committed to carrying out our mission to provide treatment, care and advocacy for all who are affected by substance use disorder. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our experienced team of professionals in the fight to overcome the stigma of addiction and mental health. Come join one of Oregon’s largest and most reputable providers of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment for adults!

Fora Health is committed to providing a wide range of accessible, coordinated, and well-integrated services that benefit the community and support our clients to recover and to maintain recovery from addiction. To maintain an organizational culture which supports Fora's mission, each employee will, at a minimum:

1. Have knowledge of substance use disorders.
2. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
3. Respect the diversity and uniqueness of all people.
4. Recognize that a healthy work environment is maintained through the practice of mutual respect and healthy self-care.
5. Uphold the highest standard of customer service to clients, referents, and all community partners.

BENEFITS

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Comprehensive dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Additional voluntary insurance (short-term disability insurance, supplemental group life insurance, accident & critical illness insurance, and pet insurance)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare, dependent care and transportation costs
• 401K plan with Employer Matching up to 6%
• 4 weeks paid vacation, one floating holiday & sick leave
• 10 observed holidays, paid bereavement and paid jury duty days
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted 24 Hour Fitness membership from $6.99/month
• One free employee meal on days worked at our Cherry Blossom location
• Online education tools for CEUs
• Critical shift compensation up to double hourly pay rate and shift premiums for certain positions
• Employee referral bonus
• Education grant program reimbursement for continuing education expenses after 90 days of employment
• Loan forgiveness for eligible medical and clinic positions
• Free parking at our two facilities

Employees may be eligible for education grants:

• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• NURSE Corps
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Fora Health is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Fora Health encourages applications from those who are in recovery. Please note that we require individuals in recovery to certify that they have at least six months of sobriety for non-patient facing positions or two years of continuous sobriety for patient-facing positions upon hire.

Fora Health is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Fora Health conducts a background check for all positions upon offer of employment. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of certain jobs may require us to take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.