Peer Specialist - Crisis Services (Nights)

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO 140 hours annually

12 paid holidays

WA PERS retirement

Job summary

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS is seeking a Peer Specialist to join the Crisis Services team. You will provide peer counseling, mentoring and advocacy, offering lived-experience support to clients and families in Thurston and Mason counties.

You will respond to referrals, participate in mobile crisis interventions, and coordinate follow-up services to promote recovery and reduce readmission. Strong documentation and collaboration with MH providers are essential.

Qualifications

• Washington State certification as a Certified Peer Counselor is required.
• Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist license required.
• Two years working as a peer is preferred.
• Experience in the behavioral health crisis system is preferred.
• Lived experience of mental health or substance use recovery is valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide mobile crisis intervention and stabilization in community settings.
• Deliver peer counseling, mentoring and advocacy to clients and families.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up services to reduce readmissions.
• Respond to the crisis phone line and engage with clients in crisis.
• Maintain timely documentation in the EHR and other systems.

Skills

Peer counseling

Collaboration

De-escalation

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Education

Certified Peer Counselor license

Certified Peer Support Specialist

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join our Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) Crisis Services team in a Peer Specialist position supporting crisis intervention and follow up services in Thurston and Mason counties. This position provides a Peer perspective to the Crisis Services team by focusing on peer counseling through lived experiences with mental health and substance use disorders, mentoring, advocacy, problem-solving and side-by side support to clients and families. Peer support services include face-to-face crisis mobile outreach to clients in the community, responding to the 24/7 crisis phone line, and providing crisis follow up services.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:Responds to referrals and provides mobile crisis intervention and stabilization services in a variety of environments in the community.Maximizes client choice, self-determination, decision making in the planning, delivery, evaluation and treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.Provides peer counseling, consultation, practical health and support, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, problem-solving and side-by side support to clients, families, and team staff in support of client’s needs.De-escalation as needed for community outreaches.Responds to requests for information about available services for individuals who are homeless, individuals with behavioral health disorders, and those with other human and social service needs. Make referrals to appropriate service providers and coordinate service delivery.Assist the target population served with obtaining basic resources such as shelter, food, medical services, behavioral health treatment, jobs and other social and human services as needed.Provide outreach, engagement and liaison support to those people that are seen on a recurring basis which may require short term intensive case management. Facilitate services for high-need individuals across all involved systems of care.Develop a network of working relationships with emergency responders, local law enforcement, courts, jails, behavioral health treatment providers, emergency housing providers, Lacey Veterans Services Hub, and other fire departments and social service providers.Promote best practices in treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions. Meet with and interview contacts, families, and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility of services. Advocate needs of contacts within and outside system; liaise between contact, caregivers, and service providers. Provide client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.Provide in-person or telephonic follow-up services.Provide transportation for clients when appropriate.Researches and coordinates availability of community resources to provide support and encouragement towards a path of recovery and reduced likelihood of readmission to inpatient treatment or return to crisis.Monitor contact behaviors and progress, provide assistance toward attaining pre-determined goals, and schedule appointments.Follow-up with identified individuals in an effort to bridge gaps between police and/or emergency medical contacts and social service providers.Develop and recommend procedures for identifying and screening people with social services needs.Consult with other agency professionals on difficult cases.Demonstrates the OHRS mission, purpose, values and beliefs in everyday language and contact with the internal and external stakeholders.Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate documentation in Avatar EHR and other required systems.Communicate effectively with co-workers in dynamic environment.Demonstrates professional customer service and phone etiquette.Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at the discretion of management.Salary Range: $24.78-32.22 per hour. DOE. This position is eligible for shift differential ($1/hr evenings, $3/hr weekends and nights)Schedule Available: (Two week rotation schedule: four 10 hour shifts one week and three 13 hours shifts the following week)Rotating Schedule:Week 1 Wed-Sat: 9pm-7amWeek 2 Thurs-Sat: 5:40pm-7amJoin us in our mission to provide access to an effective, reliable safety net of behavioral health crisis and recovery support services throughout our region.BenefitsTMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options. Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options. Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays. Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) . Find more information at www.tmbhcareers.org.QUALIFICATIONS:Washington State certification as a Certified Peer Counselor is required.Washington State Certified Peer Support Specialist license required.Two (2) years working as a peer is preferred.Experience in the behavioral health crisis system is preferred.Lived experience of mental health recovery or substance use recovery and the willingness to share their own experiences.Current Washington State Driver’s License, proof of insurance or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation. Satisfactory drivers record is required.Satisfactory Washington State Patrol (WSP) criminal background clearances and excluded party sanctionsSKILLS AND ABILITIES:The ability to work in active, ongoing partnership with a Mental Health Care Provider (MHCP) to deliver safe, coordinated, and effective crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services.Ability to collaborate across distinct roles (peer and clinical) by maintaining clear boundaries, sharing relevant observations, and integrating lived-experience support with clinical crisis intervention strategies.Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for alcohol/drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, mental health and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies.Ability to establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning towards recovery.Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries.Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.Ability to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner as a team member with community providers, the client, and the client’s family and support network.Ability to work with assigned office and computer programs to include Microsoft Office and Electronic Health Records.Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectivelyAbility to provide clear documentation of assessments and dispositions, and meet documentation requirements in a timely wayAbility to respectfully manage differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests on a team.Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change.Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS.Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned Agency property.Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of electronic medical record system.WORKING CONDITIONS:Mobile outreach is conducted in the community, including residential facilities, individual's homes, and in an office environment. May respond to community referrals at hospitals, jails, inpatient facilities, sanctioned and non-sanctioned camps, shelters, and other community based settings.Outreach is performed in outdoor settings and subject to weather conditions.Outreach to individuals who may be living in the community, sanctioned and non-sanctioned camps, and in shelters.This position will expose you to conversations about suicide, mental health issues and staff responding to crisis situations.Often performed under physically demanding, stressful, and environmentally diverse conditions, and requires the ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities and demands.Regular, on site, predictable attendance is required.Service responsibilities require on-call availability at certain times, including availability during normal business hours and after hours/weekends/holidays as needed.Regular use of fleet vehicles and/or personal vehicle required for service in a two-county regional area.Regular use of computer requiring typing and viewing monitors.Moderate physical exertion is required. May be required to sit, stand, squat, walk short to moderate distances on uneven terrain, walk up and down stairs, lift or move up to 25 lbs.