Peer Counselor - Youth Mobile Crisis

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington; Wenatchee (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Health insurance

Retirement 403(b) Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Education Assistance Program

Job summary

Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington is seeking a Peer Counselor to provide support for youth and families with behavioral health needs. The role includes collaborating with treatment teams, educating clients about recovery processes, and connecting families with essential resources.

Applicants should have personal experience in the mental health system and be able to share their journey to build trust. The position offers extensive benefits, including health insurance and educational assistance.

Qualifications

• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services.
• Experience providing peer services preferred.
• Must complete required training within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the treatment team for high-risk, clinically complex circumstances.
• Provide community support by connecting youth and families to resources.
• Attend all required supervision and training.

Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Self-motivated

Ability to represent agency professionally

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Valid Washington State driver's license

Peer Counselor or Peer Specialist certification

Job description

Peer Counselors are individuals with personal history as a youth or as a parent of a youth who has been a recipient of behavioral health, child welfare, complex medical coordination or juvenile justice services. They use that personal experience to collaborate, provide support and help facilitate services for youth and their families. Working as a member of a team, the Peer Counselor helps a youth or parent voice their own perspective and ensures that other team members are able to understand their perspective and use that perspective in treatment planning. Applicants must have first person experience in accessing system services and be prepared to disclose their personal experiences with youth, parents and others.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the treatment team for high-risk, clinically complex circumstances to support and help determine the most appropriate safety, crisis and treatment responses. As an active participant with the clinical treatment team, the Peer reviews, analyzes and makes improvements and modifications in the safety crisis plan that would improve youth and parent participation.
• Participate in child and family teams and in the assessment process with referred youth and parents; relate personal experience to assist in building trust with the family and increasing hopeful engagement in services.
• Assess and review the youth and parent’s ability to communicate their position, preferences, strengths and needs; find ways to relate personal experience to the experience of the youth or parent.
• Review personal history receiving services and disclose common elements to youth and parent being served; reassure and communicate the recovery process to youth and parents, that “they are not in this alone.”
• Reach agreement with youth and parents about their functional strengths, passions and activities that will contribute to their healing and support; assist in communicating that clinical information to the treatment team and through session documentation to Medicaid funders.
• Work in partnership with members of the clinician team and under the direction of the clinician to provide peer support to youth and families identified in crisis and build strong working relationships to support coordinated care.
• Provide community support by identifying and connecting youth and their families to primary care, behavioral health, community and natural resources that benefit the consumer and family.
• Provide care coordination and case management services including:
  • Coach self-management and stabilization techniques under the direction of the clinician.
  • Identify natural supports, community resources, support groups and engage the youth and their family with those supports.
• Attend all required individual supervision, group supervision, all staff meetings, clinical training, community meetings, and other trainings asked to attend by management and supervisor.
• Promote Catholic Charities programs while meeting with other resources in the community.

HIPAA

• Responsible for upholding a culture of privacy and security in a highly confidential work environment (HIPAA covered entity service area).
• Complies with all Catholic Charities policies and procedures that involve access to and safeguarding of client Protected Health Information (all forms).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience: Must be a self‑identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year. Preferred: At least two years’ experience providing peer services.
• Special Skills: Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required; possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to be self‑motivated, work independently, and as a team member; ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community.
• Licensure, Registration, Certification: Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State; must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider; Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration; Peer Counselor or Peer Specialist certification through the Washington State Health Care Authority; or Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential from the Washington State Department of Health (may be obtained within 6 months of hire); completion of HCA sponsored Peer Crisis Training, and Trauma Informed Care, De‑escalation Techniques and Harm Reduction.
• Employment is conditional upon: Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities.
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment.
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities.
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment.
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment.
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft.
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools.
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment.

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.