Crisis Peer Support Specialist

Crisis Peer Support Specialist

Kitsap Mental Health Services is hiring a Crisis Peer Support Specialist. The Crisis Response Team Peer Support Specialist has experience as a recipient of mental health services for severe and persistent mental illness and is willing to use and share their personal and practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit the team, clients, families of clients, and other community partners, as needed.

The Peer Counselor provides the team with expertise about recovery, symptom management, and clients' persistence to lead a satisfying life.

The Peer Counselor is responsible for advocating for client choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning, delivering, and evaluating treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.

The Peer Counselor provides consultation to clients, families, and team staff in community resources, crisis intervention, and substance abuse services. This Peer Specialist will provide a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Draw on common experiences as a peer to validate clients' experiences and to provide guidance and encouragement for clients to take responsibility for, and participate in their recovery.
• Promote hope and empowerment designed to help clients attain recovery goals and maintain the highest possible independence level, even during periods of instability.
• Share experiences related to involuntary treatment and provide supportive hope inspired recovery-oriented communications in support of the client and family.
• Provide information and referral for reliable transportation to access primary care medical appointments, dental care and other medical specialist as required.
• Provide coaching and encouragement to help clients socialize and assist clients to plan and carry out leisure time activities.
• Maintain effective communication with physicians, nursing staff, individuals served, families and other related to discharge planning, hospital placement and other communications as needed regarding involuntary treatment and referrals to less restrictive alternatives to inpatient care.
• Coordinate with social services personnel to provide services as indicated by treatment team.
• Support Designated Crisis Responders in arranging for appropriate less restrictive alternative placements.
• Help clients and staff to identify, understand, and combat stigma, and discrimination
• To assist clients in locating self-help and consumer advocacy groups that promote recovery while acting as the liaison between the team and such groups.
• Collaborate with staff and clients on awareness of client rights, including grievance and complaint procedures; support clients with filing, mediating, and resolving complaints.
• Assist in providing ongoing assessment and direct services to clients, responding to such challenges as an increase in suicidality, the need for substance abuse education and treatment, and the clients' readiness for meaningful daily activity, including employment.
• Provide practical help and supports to help clients gain access to health care services and other necessary services such as legal services, housing subsidies, and funding alternatives.

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.

This position requires driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must meet agency driving requirements, including meeting the minimum age requirement of 21 years old, successfully completing a motor vehicle history check, possessing and maintaining a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and having 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 Peer Counselor within six months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE: Relevant experience working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

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 any aspect which makes someone unique.