Per Diem Crisis Peer Support Specialist

General Summary of Duties

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) has lived experience as a recipient of behavioral health and/or substance use treatment and is willing to share their personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to support 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, while keeping within State 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.

The CPC improves 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.

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

• Draw on common experiences as a peer to validate identified peer's experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement for peers to take responsibility for, and participate in their recovery.
• Promote hope and empowerment designed to help identified peers attain recovery goals and maintain the highest possible independence level, even during periods of instability.
• Share experiences related to behavioral health/substance use treatment and provide supportive hope inspired recovery-oriented communications in support of the peer and family.
• Provide information and referral to housing options as needed to promote and encourage supportive housing options as an alternative to living unhoused.
• Provide referrals to job training and vocational rehabilitation when the circumstances allow.
• Provide information and referrals for reliable transportation to access primary care medical appointments, dental care, and other medical specialist as required.
• Provide coaching and encouragement to help identified peers socialize and assist identified peers to plan and carry out leisure time activities.
• Collaborate with social services personnel to provide services as indicated by treatment team.
• Support other members of the MCOT in arranging for appropriate less restrictive alternative placements.
• Provide consultation to MCOT from the identified peers’ perspective in areas such as symptoms, desired outcome/side effects of medications, identified peers’ perspective of treatment, and recovery experiences.
• Help peers and staff to identify, understand, and combat stigma, and discrimination when discussing behavioral health and substance use disorders/treatment.
• To assist identified peers in locating self-help and consumer advocacy groups that promote recovery while acting as the liaison between the team and such groups.
• Absorb and relay information from one shift to another to ensure continuity of care.
• Document interventions and decisions in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Participate as a contributing member of the MCOT by 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 the MCOT.

Minimum Qualifications

• EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED
• EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience working with behavioral health/substance use populations and experience working in crisis or inpatient settings
• DRIVER’S LICENSE: This position requires driving in a personal and/or agency vehicle 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: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration. Completion of the Washington State Mental Health Division’s Peer Counselor Training and the subsequent certification as a Certified Peer Counselor within six months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• EXPERIENCE: Certified Peer Counselor that has previous experience working with behavioral health/substance use populations within crisis settings.