Per Diem Crisis Peer Support Specialist

kitsapmentalhealth; Bremerton (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Kitsap Mental Health Services is seeking a Per Diem Certified Peer Counselor for the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team. This role requires lived experience with behavioral health or substance use, and a commitment to providing compassionate, crisis-focused support in the community.

The CPC will work per diem shifts, collaborating with the MCOT and families to connect individuals to housing, transportation, and essential services, while maintaining clear records and upholding confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience working with behavioral health/substance use populations and experience working in crisis or inpatient settings.
• CPSS-T or CPSS certification preferred.
• Must have valid Washington state driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Must have a current, valid driver’s license in the state of Washington and be able to pass motor vehicle history checks.

Responsibilities

• Draw on lived peer experience to validate peers’ experiences and provide guidance and encouragement for recovery.
• Promote hope and empowerment to help peers achieve recovery goals and independence.
• Share experiences related to behavioral health/substance use treatment and provide recovery‑oriented communication.
• Provide information and referrals for housing options to promote supportive housing.
• Provide referrals to job training and vocational rehabilitation when appropriate.
• Provide information and referrals for transportation to access health, dental, and other medical services.
• Coordinate with social services to provide services as indicated by the treatment team.
• Support MCOT team in arranging for appropriate less restrictive placements.
• Maintain legible, concise documentation of interventions and rationale.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Computer skills

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Per DiemCertified Peer Counselor
Mobile Crisis Outreach Team

Hiring Range: $22.90 - $28.05 per hour

General Summary of Duties

:TheMobileCrisisOutreachTeam(MCOT)Certified Peer Counselor (CPC)haslivedexperience as a recipient ofbehavioralhealthand/or substance use treatment and is willing tosharetheirpersonal andpractical experience, knowledge, and first‑hand insight tosupport a peer in crisis, as well as, supporting the team, families,and other community partners,as needed.

MCOT promotes prompt and focused expert response to those in crisis in a compassionate and efficient manner, whilekeeping withinState and Salish BHASO mandated crisis services. MCOT provides rapid mobile crisis resolutions with emphasis on the goal of stabilizing the crisis in the least restrictive appropriate manner, as well as facilitating access to behavioral health and substance use services.

TheCPCimproves the operations of KMHS in support of its stated mission and provides the highest level of customer service to internal and external customers.As a Per Diem CPC, a commitment of two shifts a month is require to maintain employment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

:None

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

:

• Draw on common experiences as a peer to validateidentified peer'sexperiencesand to provide guidance and encouragement forpeersto take responsibilityfor,andparticipate in their recovery.
• Promote hope and empowerment designed to helpidentifiedpeersattain recovery goals and maintain the highest possible independence level, even during periods of instability.
• Share experiences related tobehavioral health/substance usetreatment and provide supportive hope inspired recovery-oriented communications in support of thepeerand family.
• Provide information and referral to housing options as needed to promote and encourage supportive housingoptionsas an alternative toliving unhoused.
• Providereferrals to job training andvocational rehabilitationwhen the circumstances allow.
• Provide information and referralsfor reliable transportation to accessprimary care medical appointments,dental care,and other medical specialist as required.
• Provide coachingand encouragement to helpidentified peerssocialize and assistidentified peersto plan and carry out leisure time activities.
• Coordinate with social services personnel to provide services as indicated by treatment team.
• Supportother members of the MCOTin arranging for appropriate less restrictive alternative placements.
• Provideconsultationto MCOTfrom theidentified peers’perspective in areas such as symptoms, desired outcome/side effects of medications,identified peers’perspectiveof treatment, andrecovery experiences.
• Helppeersand staff to identify, understand, and combat stigma,and discriminationwhen discussing behavioral health and substance use disorders/treatment.
• Toassistidentified peersin locating self-help and consumer advocacy groups that promote recovery while acting as the liaison between the team and such groups.
• Collaborate with staff andpeerson awareness ofthe peer’srights, including grievance and complaint procedures; supportpeerswith filing, mediating, and resolving complaints.
• Assist in providing ongoingsupportand direct services topeers, responding to challengesthat may impact their ability to manage their behavioral health or substance use symptoms.
• Provide practical help and supports to helppeersgainaccess tohealth care services andother necessary services such as legal services, housing subsidies, and funding alternatives.
• Responsible for arriving to the officein a timely mannerto ensureeffectivepass down of crisis and follow up calls, as well as, provide pass down atend of shift to oncoming shift.
• Documentation is to be legible, concise and organized with clear description of the facts of theinterventionand the rationale for decisions/dispositions.
• Participate as a contributing member of theMCOTby attending monthly clinical and administrative meetings and following the agency’s policies and procedures.
• Participate as a contributing member of KMHS, identifying areas of operation that could enhance our efficiency and effectiveness within and beyond theMCOT.
• In addition to the above, any other responsibilities appropriate to the position and not specifically listed in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications

:

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE: Two yearsofexperience working withbehavioralhealth/substance use populations and experience working in crisisor inpatientsettings

DRIVER’S LICENSE: This position requires driving in a personaland/or agencyvehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and have reliable, insured transportation.

LICENSURE: Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) or Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE: Certified Peer Counselor that has previous experienceworking withbehavioralhealth/substance use populations within crisis settings.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in communitybehavioralhealth, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
• Maintain a working knowledge ofbehavioralhealth rehabilitation standards.
• Have an understanding of ITA Law and HIPPA/CFR42, with the ability to maintain confidentiality while working as part of MCOT.

SKILLS:

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal skillswiththeability toestablish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees,peers, organizations, and thecommunity.
• Communication – Communicates clearly and concisely.
• Computer skills – the ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and electronic health records.

ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while balancing conflicting demands of being both a peer toindividualsin crisisand an employee of the agency.Seek appropriate supervision where necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.
• Able to assist in building positive working relationships with staff of all agency departments.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.

Equipment Operated

Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Work Environment

Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.This position is performed in office and out in the community. It is highly mobile.

Mental/Physical Requirements

This position is performed in office and out in the community.While performing the job duties, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk andlisten.This position is highly mobile and requires the ability to react quickly and perceive environmental stimuli accurately.

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or anyaspect whichmakes someone unique.