Crisis Overdose Response Worker

At Access Services, we know great work starts with real support. From nearly 6 weeks off in your first year to high quality, affordable health coverage and opportunities to grow, we’ve built a benefits package that shows we care for our people. 

Do you want to be on the cutting edge of behavioral health services? Do you desire to be present with those in crisis who need an understanding, skilled specialist to help them connect with effective treatment? Do you identify as someone in recovery with a commitment to wellness and a passion for helping those in recovery?

Join our Montgomery County Overdose Response Team (MCORT) as an Overdose Crisis Worker, with an office based in Plymouth Meeting, PA. This unique role blends the skills of a Certified Recovery Specialist and crisis response skills and works in partnership with the Department of Public Safety EMT's. Access Services is an innovative human services provider, with a vision to build our programs in response to the needs of those we serve in our community.

As an Overdose Crisis Worker, you will be key member of the EMT team, responding immediately to individuals post overdose and in collaboration with other emergency responders. In this role, you will utilize your lived experience and skills to successfully engage overdose survivors and support them in connecting to treatment. You will partner with the Mobile Crisis leadership team, as an instrumental part of the building of effective relationships with substance use treatment settings and professionals, with the goal to always improve outcomes for individuals seeking treatment. As a certified recovery specialist, you will recognize you are critical to the success of the MCORT team, and you will be available and accessible to meet the shift, hours, and work demands of this “essential employee” position.

Schedule: Full time, with four 10 hour shifts (10am-8pm) including Saturday, Sunday (rotating weekend shifts), and two weekdays. Please note: This is a client-facing position that does not include remote or hybrid work schedule options. This job requires full-time, on-site presence due to the nature of the role and responsibilities.

Overdose Crisis Worker job responsibilities:

• Travel with a Department of Public Safety EMT, responding to calls in Montgomery County to engage with individuals who have overdosed on a substance.
• Engage overdose survivors using person-centered skills, non-judgmental peer support, and motivational interviewing with consideration of treatment options.
• Coordinate care and deliver a warm hand-off to medical professionals and to substance use disorder treatment professionals.
• Communicate with Mobile Crisis leadership in regard to follow-up care needs for individuals receiving overdose support and collaboration with other SUD treatment entities.
• Provide de-escalation on scene as needed to support successful engagement and follow-up care.
• Act as the point person for relational partnership with the Department of Public Safety Mobile Integrated Health team.
• Keep required electronic health record documentation.
• Provide on-scene assessment of level of care needed, and support individuals during medical assessment and evaluation.
• Partner with other emergency responders on scene including police, and EMTs; and partner with other professionals to identify treatment options for individuals willing to receive treatment.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs.
• This position requires the ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position. The Overdose Crisis Worker will need to drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency owned vehicle, always drive safely, and meet eligibility criteria in the agency Motor Vehicle Policy.

Requirements

The selected candidate must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks and a driving history record. 

Qualifications:

Education: Associate degree or active CRS Certification required , Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Certification: Must meet one of the following certification requirements:
• Certified Recovery Specialist certification (preferred) OR eligibility for attending CRS training and completing certification within 6 months of hire.
• This eligibility requires: Lived experience of personal substance use recovery sustained over 18 months

OR

• Certified Family Recovery Specialist (preferred) or eligibility for attending CRFS training and completing certification within 6 months of hire.
• This eligibility requires : Lived personal experience of substance abuse through a family member you've lived with and supported in pursuing recovery

Experience:

• Two years of training and/or experience in crisis intervention with adults, children and families (preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, an electronic health record, workplace applications, platforms and technologies.
• Openness and curiosity to learning, developing new opportunities, and to being shaped by new experiences.
• Strong relational and engagement skills to support client intervention, including the ability to communicate well in writing and orally.
• Ability to meet availability and hours commitment of an “essential employee” position including some evening and weekend assignments.
• Ability to meet the Duty Statement for a Public Safety Essential Employee as follows:
• Carries out essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Emergency Operations Center, deployment to a field location to participate in emergency management activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency. If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks.

Driving Requirements :

• A valid US driver’s license for at least two years, not including time with permit.
• No serious traffic convictions within the past three years. (Serious convictions include, but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or three or more traffic violations and/or at-fault accidents within that period).
• Access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. Vehicle must have valid registration and inspection stickers.
• Valid auto insurance. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a covered driver on the policy.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, drive, or ride in an emergency vehicle, wear Personal Protective Equipment (including respiratory protection), and participate in physically strenuous activities. These physical activities may include reaching or working with arms above shoulders; bending, twisting, or rotating at the waist; kneeling, crouching, or squatting; climbing stairs; climbing ladders; pushing, lifting, or carrying objects 50 pounds or heavier; and work in a noisy environment, and work in adverse weather conditions.

Benefits

Pay: $21.00/ hour

What You’ll Gain at Access Services

When you join our team, you’re not just getting a job, you’re stepping into a career with real support, growth, and impact. We offer a benefits package designed to meet you where you are in life.

• Health & Security: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, plus company-paid life insurance, disability protection and catastrophic sick leave.  Access Services covers up to 88% of health premium with many employees paying less than $150/month.
• Time to Recharge: Full-time employees start their first year earning up to nearly 6 weeks of paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays), with even more time added as you grow your career with us
• Invest in Your Future: 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement program, and access to college tuition discounts
• Built into the Job: Mileage & toll reimbursement
• Support beyond Work : Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including: 
• Counseling and emotional support through in-person, telehealth and text therapy
• Financial and legal guidance
• Grow With Us: Paid training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer