Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Pacoima - Peer Support Specialist

Sycamores; California; On-site; USD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sycamores is partnering with the 988 mental health crisis hotline to provide mobile crisis outreach support. The MCOT Peer Support Specialist will work with a clinician to respond to crises, stabilize situations, and connect individuals with resources in Antelope Valley and adjacent areas.

This role requires lived experience with mental health services or related life experiences, a strong commitment to recovery, and the ability to drive company vehicles for field response in California.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with recovery from mental illness or substance use.
• Willing to share lived experience.
• Strong dedication to recovery and ethics.
• CA driver license, clean driving record, and auto insurance.
• Certification in Peer Support preferred; if not certified, complete training to become certified.

Responsibilities

• Respond to crises as part of the MCOT with clinicians.
• Provide crisis stabilization, safety planning, and follow-up.
• Offer community resources and linkage to services.
• Co-respond with MCOT in the field using agency vehicles.
• Advocate for client voice, self-determination, and recovery.

Skills

Lived experience

Recovery-focused

Willing to share lived experience

Strong dedication to recovery

Ethics compliance

Age 18+

Night shift

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Peer Support Certification preferred

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Sycamores is partnering with the 988 mental health crisis hotline to provide support to people experiencing a mental health crisis. The 988 hotline will provide initial phone support to all callers and triage calls to the Sycamores Mobile Crisis Outreach teams for in person support.

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Team responds 24/7, 365 days a year, broken down by shifts. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist will respond, in conjunction with the MCOT clinician, to provide timely support including crisis stabilization, safety planning, community resources and provide follow up support. Utilizing the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team van to respond to calls, this role is an integral part of the Sycamores larger Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), including close partnerships with the 988-call center, police, sheriff, psychiatric hospitals, and ambulance transport companies.

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist has lived experience as a recipient of mental health services, and/or houselessness and/or system involvement, and can utilize these unique personal, practical, valuable experiences, and first-hand insight to benefit the team and consumers i.e., Adults, Youth, Children and their families as well as the community.

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Peer Support Specialist provides the MCOT with expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and consumers persistence to lead a satisfying life in society. Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist is also responsible for providing care, advocating for client voice and choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. Mobile Crisis Outreach Peer Support Specialist will provide consultation to consumers regarding community resources, crisis intervention, and available community services i.e., housing, mental health services, medical treatment and substance abuse services.

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Department evaluates the individual in “crisis” out in the field and takes measures to ensure the individuals safety (i.e., If clinically necessary, the MCOT Peer Support Specialist works with the Clinician in locating hospitals, ambulances, coordinating care etc.…). The MCOT team responds to an individuals need for in person evaluation for safety within specified geographical area (i.e., Antelope Valley or San Fernando Valley or San Gabriel Valley). The MCOT team utilizes Sycamores vehicles to co-respond (two staff at a time) to provide added support and security measures.

Starting Pay Range:

$33.80 - $34 per hour (starting pay will be based on previous work experience and educational background.)

Shift Schedule:

Thursday - Saturday 5:30pm to 4 am

Job Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
• Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services. If the lived experience includes a history of substance use, a minimum of two (2) years of continuous sobriety prior to the date of employment is required, and ongoing sobriety must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
• Be willing to share their lived experience
• Have a strong dedication to recovery.
• Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
• Certification in Peer Support is preferred but not required. If not certified, upon hire the peer support specialist must successfully complete the training requirements for a peer support specialist and pass the certification examination or go through the process to become certified.
• Maintains all required licenses and certifications.
• As this position requires the driving of company vehicles for crisis intervention, including the provision of urgent or emergency services, driving is an essential function of this position. Candidate qualifications therefore include:
  • Valid California driver's license.
  • Acceptable driving record as determined Agency policy.
  • Proof of auto insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements.
    

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers/residents.
• Frequent driving in the community with consumers.
• Frequent/continuous intermittent standing/walking, occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
• Reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary.
• Bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting and climbing.
• Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
• Requires physical presence in the office during shift.
• Ability to practice physical intervention for safety of consumers according to training and policy.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

All candidates who are presented with a conditional offer of employment must satisfy a pre-employment background check, drug and health screen.

Sycamores is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Further, Sycamores is a Fair Chance employer and complies with California Government Code Section 12952, Employment Discrimination: Conviction History.