Mobile Crisis Certified Peer Specialist

University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Training and professional development

Job summary

University of Utah Health is seeking a Mental Health Crisis Responder to provide on-demand crisis intervention and support to residents in Salt Lake County. This role involves working closely with a master’s level clinician to assess individuals in crisis, coordinate care, and engage with community resources.

Qualified candidates should have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. A Certified Peer Specialist license is required within one year of hire. Experience in mental health or related fields is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.
• Two to four years of experience in mental health or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Assess safety and health of individuals in crisis.
• Coordinate crisis interventions with mental health clinician partners.
• Follow trauma-informed practices in client interactions.
• Engage with community resources for effective crisis management.

Skills

Crisis intervention techniques

Effective communication skills

Team collaboration

Community resource knowledge

De-escalation strategies

Education

Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Family Peer Support License

Job description

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

Mental health first responders serving Salt Lake County residents for on-demand, in-person crisis intervention, de-escalation, suicide risk assessment, and connection to behavioral health resources. Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Peers and Certified Crisis Workers engage with key community stakeholders such as law enforcement, fire/EMS, shelters, businesses, and private citizens. Receive dispatch referrals for in-person response from the Utah Crisis Line (988) and directly from 911 partners for immediate deployment. Operate in teams of 2 for community-based safety and required billing purposes. Act as the behavioral health first responder on scene (and often only responder on scene) with the goal of avoiding law enforcement/EMS response to behavioral health emergencies unless there is a physical safety concern present on scene. This position is partnered with and works under the on‑scene supervision of a master’s level mental health clinician (Certified Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, or Clinical Mental Health Counselor).

Responsibilities

• Assess environment for safety, health and wellbeing, and mental status of individual in crisis to determine appropriate crisis and/or emergency service interventions under the on-scene supervision of and in collaboration with their master’s level mental health clinician partner.
• Engages with the patient, family/friends, other first responders, and other individuals on scene to coordinate crisis intervention and collaborative emergency care.
• Coordinates care with appropriate community partners and resources and includes law enforcement/EMS.
• Triage and prioritize community response based on highest acuity behavioral health emergencies.
• Offer individualized resources, support, and follow-up calls to mitigate future behavioral health crises.
• Follows all behavior management, de-escalation strategies, and crisis intervention protocols and procedures.
• Ensure all conduct and client interactions are trauma-informed and follows best practices.
• Models sensitivity and competency related to individual client need and applicable cultural awareness.
• Attends safety training which involves local law enforcement and/or University of Utah Health Safety and Security, as well as required training around situational awareness, risk assessments for both the patient and others, and appropriate response to potential on scene weapons or illegal substances.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job outlined above.
• Strong organizational and follow through skills.
• A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and problem solve.
• Must possess knowledge of community resources, discharge planning, and crisis de-escalation.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status.
• Good interpersonal skills to acquire the trust of patients and respond appropriately in a crisis situation.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to adhere to the requirements.
• Demonstrate effective de-escalation techniques and utilization of crisis intervention skills.
• Per the Peer/Family Support Specialist Certification eligibility and training, may share lived experience with mental health challenges, co-occurring disorders, and/or substance use when appropriate, within professional boundaries to demonstrate understanding, respect, and empowerment to clients through the recovery model.

Required Qualifications

• Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Family Peer Support License must be obtained within a year of hire.

Licenses Required

• One of the following
• Current Family Peer Support Specialist certification issued through the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH)
• Certified Peer Specialist

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two to four years experience in field or related area.
• Bi-lingual skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• This position involves intermediate work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects while providing patient care to those requiring psychiatric care.
• Requires manual dexterity, balance, eyesight, and hearing.
• Incumbents in this position may be subjected to hazardous chemicals, adverse weather conditions, communicable diseases and possible verbal and physical abuse due to people being under the influence of illicit drugs or having undiagnosed/diagnosed mental health condition(s).
• Outreach and engagement may take place in locations not intended for human habitation.
• This position will drive a mobile unit vehicle or other vehicle (that is provided by the department). In the off‑chance department vehicles are under maintenance, staff may be asked to drive their personal vehicles and may submit mileage reimbursement for shift-related driving.

Physical Requirements

Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Speaking, Walking