Flex & Follow Up Crisis Outreach Peer Specialist - MRRCT

Downtown Emergency Service Center•Seattle, WA

About The Position

As a member of DESC's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT), the Flex & Follow Up Crisis Outreach Peer Specialist responds to adults in the community experiencing mental health or substance use crises, as dispatched by Crisis Connections (988). The position provides follow-up care after initial crisis resolution, supports connections to services, and assists with initial evaluation of crisis intervention needs. Working in teams of two alongside Mental Health Professionals and Crisis Outreach Specialists, the specialist helps people identify therapeutic options and next steps while avoiding unnecessary use of emergency rooms or other non-therapeutic settings. The team works throughout the central region of King County, primarily Seattle, in a wide variety of community settings and in all types of weather. The specialist provides peer recovery support and works in a culture that recognizes, respects, and integrates each client's perspective and preferences into treatment, recovery, and community self-help activities. The role requires substantial coordination and collaboration with DESC programs and outside agencies.

Requirements

Current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSS-T) credential through the Washington State Department of Health.
Completion of Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support (CACPS) training, or ability to complete it within 90 days of hire.
Lived experience as a consumer of behavioral health services (mental health and/or substance use treatment), or being the parent or legal guardian of a child who has received behavioral health services.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency business.
Current Washington State driver's license and an insurable driving record.
Interest or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Strong personal understanding, based on own experience in recovery, of recovery and resilience, client partnerships and choice, and balancing protection from harm with personal dignity.
Willingness to understand each client's circumstances, preferences, and goals and incorporate them into crisis response to help the client regain a sense of control.
Cultural humility and willingness to learn to work effectively with individuals who face discrimination and barriers to health care, including Black, Latinx, Native American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and LGBTQIA communities.
Strong knowledge of relevant community resources and methods for accessing them.
Ability to respond empathetically and non-judgmentally, value meaningful client engagement, accept feedback, and work collaboratively in a potentially stressful environment.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience in community-based behavioral health services or a similar industry serving a diverse client or participant population.
Two or more years of experience leveraging a personal peer story as a peer specialist.
Fluency in Spanish and English.
Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.
Experience in outreach or crisis work.
Experience working with adults experiencing or having experienced homelessness, mental health disorders, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

Conduct timely outreach in collaboration with first responders and other referents to individuals needing services, assessment, referral, and linkage to needed services.
Identify individuals in need, screen for services, develop rapport and trust, offer case management support, address immediate and basic needs, and assist with connections to long-term services.
Provide peer recovery support and work with clients to determine personal recovery goals, shelter and basic needs, and desired connections to providers.
Assist eligible individuals experiencing homelessness in obtaining and coordinating social services, including daily living resources, financial planning, transportation, habilitation and rehabilitation, prevocational and vocational services, and housing services.
Integrate personal experience with mental health concerns and substance use disorders into work with program participants.
Help participants identify and address stigma and discrimination related to mental health concerns and substance use disorders, and develop strategies to reduce self-stigma.
Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, help ensure their needs are met and rights maintained, and collaborate with community providers to support continuity of care and resource linkages.
Help consumers express their interests and goals through Goal Plans, Crisis Plans, WRAP, and other methods.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, provide field-based psychosocial assessments, referrals to substance use screenings, stabilization, and meaningful engagement for adults referred to MRRCT.
Support DESC staff and programs with client crisis situations through consultation and in-person responses to assess and prevent emerging crises.
Establish and implement plans to engage clients in relevant services and resources.
Provide follow-up services to establish service linkages for program participants as needed.
Complete project and DESC data collection and documentation.
Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with programs serving the population.
Comply with applicable research and evaluation procedures, agency policies and procedures, and relevant Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington provisions.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention in emergent situations and assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe, secure environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.