Peer Support Counselor

Comprehensive Healthcare; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 25,292 - 37,939; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Competitive salary

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Comprehensive Healthcare in Yakima, WA is seeking a Peer Support Counselor to work with crisis teams, delivering immediate community-based support and helping clients engage with services. You will draw on personal recovery experience to motivate clients and collaborate with first responders in the field.

The role requires strong interpersonal skills, comfort working outside of an office, and the ability to travel to calls, with a Wednesday–Saturday schedule and evenings in the field.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health services in stable recovery for at least one year.
• Eligible for Peer Counselor certification provided by the Washington State Healthcare Authority.
• Must be eligible for registration as Agency Affiliated Counselor.
• Must have valid driver’s license, vehicle liability insurance, and a minimum of two years of driving experience.

Responsibilities

• Responding in the community with crisis staff and first responders to de‑escalate and stabilize individuals in crisis.
• Provide immediate support and resources to individuals contacting 911 or 988 for crisis services.
• Share personal experiences of recovery to motivate clients in treatment.
• Model engagement with others to build social supports and navigate community resources.
• Assess safety and risk, and take appropriate crisis intervention actions when needed.
• Collaborate with clients to develop and implement individualized treatment plans and self-directed recovery actions.
• Assist clients with attending appointments, applying for social services, housing, and daily living activities.

Skills

Empathy

Crisis response

Interpersonal skills

Field travel

Education

High school diploma or GED

Peer Counselor certification eligibility

Agency Affiliated Counselor registration eligibility

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Yakima, WA 98902
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: High school diploma or GED
Salary Range: $18.36 - $27.54 Hourly
Job Shift: Evening

Overview

Comprehensive Healthcare provides innovative behavioral health and integrated healthcare services to clients of all ages. We take pride in our creative and collaborative work environment and in delivering clinically excellent, trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented services.

Role Summary

As part of the First Responder & Field Response team, Peer Support Counselors work closely with other trained mental health professionals to support individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Peer Support Counselors travel into the community to provide backup to first responders in the field and to respond to calls that have come through 911 or 988, with the responsibility to provide immediate support to the individual or family experiencing the crisis. Once the crisis is stabilized, Peer Support Counselors follow up with clients to assist with navigating systems of care and make referrals for additional services and support. By sharing their own experiences with behavioral health issues, treatment, and recovery, Peer Support Counselors encourage and support clients in engaging with treatment and taking an active role in their recovery. Peer Support Counselors promote socialization and self‑advocacy, assist with developing a natural support system, and work with clients to develop & maintain community living skills. This position requires strong interpersonal skills to quickly build rapport with clients, along with comfort working outside of an office setting. The ability to collaborate with other community members and first responders is essential.

The schedule for this position will be Wednesday - Saturday 8:00AM - 7:00PM.

Peer Support Counselor Duties

• Responding in the community with other crisis staff and first responders to de‑escalate and stabilize individuals who are experiencing a crisis.
• Providing immediate support and resources to individuals who contact 911 or 988 requesting crisis services.
• Sharing personal experiences of recovery, as appropriate, to build motivation and encourage clients in their treatment.
• Modeling ways to engage with others to increase social supports, develop meaningful relationships, and access & navigate community resources.
• Assessing clients for safety and risk to self or others, and taking appropriate crisis intervention measures when indicated.
• Collaborating with each client to develop and implement individualized treatment plans and self‑directed recovery action plans, always advocating for the client’s needs and desires throughout treatment.
• Assisting clients with attending appointments, applying for social services benefits, finding and maintaining housing, and other activities of daily living.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be a self‑identified consumer of mental health services in stable recovery for at least one year.
• Eligible for Peer Counselor certification provided by the Washington State Healthcare Authority: https://www.hca.wa.gov/billers-providers-partners/behavioral-health-recovery/peer-support.
• Must be eligible for registration as Agency Affiliated Counselor.
• Must have valid driver’s license, vehicle liability insurance, and a minimum of two years of driving experience.

What Comprehensive Healthcare Can Offer You

Training and Development

• A variety of career opportunities in a wide range of settings with room for mobility and promotion.
• Regular training opportunities including support, supervision, and consultation in implementing evidence‑based services and programs.

Innovative Program & Services

• A strong reputation for providing quality, evidence‑based services within a collaborative multi‑disciplinary team environment.
• Innovative, forward‑looking leadership that seeks to thrive in an ever‑changing healthcare environment.
• Joint Commission‑accredited organization committed to continuous quality improvement.
• Established partnerships with major research universities and other community and healthcare providers to implement cutting‑edge treatment programs and services.

Excellent Benefits

• Competitive salaries within our communities and industry.
• Healthcare coverage for employee and qualified family members.
• Generous vacation, paid holiday and sick leave policies.
• Access to Employee Assistance Program services.
• Agency‑funded retirement plan with contributions equal to 5% of compensation.
• Additional retirement investment opportunities with a 50% investment match of up to 4% of compensation.
• Agency‑funded life and disability insurance program.
• Tuition reimbursement program to support employees pursuing additional education.
• Employer‑funded student loan repayment assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Comprehensive Healthcare is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. We value the diverse perspectives and strengths that our employees bring to the workplace and we encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for our positions. The Human Resources department offers accommodations and assistance for the application and interview process; please contact us to make arrangements.