Crisis Peer Specialist - Tumwater Fire Department Community Responder

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS•Lacey, WA

7d•$25 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

Olympic Health & Recovery Services (OHRS) is seeking a peer counselor to join our Community Based Crisis Team (CBCT). The CBCT is a partnership between OHRS and Tumwater Fire Department serving the most vulnerable in our communities. This position provides a Peer perspective to the CBCT, in partnership with a Mental Health Care Provider (MHCP), by focusing on peer counseling through lived experiences with mental health and substance use disorders, mentoring, advocacy, problem-solving and side-by side support to clients and families. The CBCT work in coordination with emergency responders to respond to calls with individuals experiencing a crisis. The CBCT performs crisis intervention to reduce hospitalizations, and effectively link individuals with on-going social support services.

Requirements

Washington State certification as a Certified Peer Counselor is required.
Washington State Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor license required.
Must be able to pass background checks as required by OHRS contractual requirements.
Lived experience of mental health recovery or substance use recovery and the willingness to share their own experiences.
Current Washington State Driver’s License, proof of insurance or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
Satisfactory drivers record is required.
Co-Responder Team: Ability to utilize radio and communicate with dispatch and law enforcement officers.
Ability to utilize CAD system.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years working as a peer is preferred.
Experience in the behavioral health crisis system is preferred.
Co-Responder Team: Ability to work in law enforcement setting.

Responsibilities

Responds to referrals and provides mobile crisis intervention and stabilization services in a variety of environments in the community.
Maximizes client choice, self-determination, decision making in the planning, delivery, evaluation and treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.
Provides peer counseling, consultation, practical health and support, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, problem-solving and side-by side support to clients, families, and team staff in support of client’s needs.
De-escalation as needed for community outreaches.
Responds to requests for information about available services for individuals who are homeless, individuals with behavioral health disorders, and those with other human and social service needs.
Make referrals to appropriate service providers and coordinate service delivery.
Assist the target population served with obtaining basic resources such as shelter, food, medical services, behavioral health treatment, jobs and other social and human services as needed.
Provide outreach, engagement and liaison support to those people that are seen on a recurring basis which may require short term intensive case management.
Facilitate services for high-need individuals across all involved systems of care.
Develop a network of working relationships with emergency responders, local law enforcement, courts, jails, behavioral health treatment providers, emergency housing providers, Lacey Veterans Services Hub, and other fire departments and social service providers.
Promote best practices in treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions.
Meet with and interview contacts, families, and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility of services.
Advocate needs of contacts within and outside system; liaise between contact, caregivers, and service providers.
Provide client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.
Provide telephonic or in-person follow-up services.
Provide transportation for clients when appropriate.
Researches and coordinates availability of community resources to provide support and encouragement towards a path of recovery and reduced likelihood of readmission to inpatient treatment or return to crisis.
Monitor contact behaviors and progress, provide assistance toward attaining pre-determined goals, and schedule appointments.
Follow-up with identified individuals in an effort to bridge gaps between police and/or emergency medical contacts and social service providers.
Develop and recommend procedures for identifying and screening people with social services needs.
Consult with other agency professionals on difficult cases.
Demonstrates the OHRS mission, purpose, values and beliefs in everyday language and contact with the internal and external stakeholders.
Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate documentation in Avatar EHR and other required systems.
Communicate effectively with co-workers in dynamic environment.
Demonstrates professional customer service and phone etiquette.
Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and/or changed at the discretion of management.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options)
life insurance
disability insurance options
WA State PERS retirement plans
additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options
PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually
12 paid holidays
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer.
We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position
annual professional development funds