The Peer Support Specialist in the Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Services Team (CRSS) programs provide immediate and non-clinical support to individuals experiencing acute mental health or substance use crises. Utilizing their lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges, they contribute to the crisis intervention team, offering empathy, understanding, and practical assistance to promote stabilization and recovery.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Below are the primary duties and essential functions of an employee in this position. While not all tasks may be performed by every employee in this role, all employees are expected to perform related tasks as needed. These essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Welcome and engage with individuals in crisis, providing emotional support and understanding.
- Secure and document possessions, placing them in locked storage for safekeeping.
- Assemble and distribute basic needs items, including meals and room items, to ensure individuals’ well-being.
- Conduct room checks at the required frequency to ensure safety and address any immediate concerns.
- Assist in de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies.
- Provide insights from a lived experience perspective to enhance the understanding of the crisis team.
- Assist with initial assessment to identify individual needs during a crisis.
- Advocate for patients and provide guidance and support that is self-driven for an individual to identify their own recovery pathway.
- Collaborate with the crisis team and individual to set short-term goals for crisis stabilization.
- Assist in developing and implementing crisis management plans, safety plans, relapse prevention plans, and coping strategies.
- Educate overcoming crises, decreasing isolation, and promoting connections with others.
- Maintain accurate and detailed client progress notes and peer notes, documenting observations, interactions, and any notable incidents.
- Find, access, and offer community resources to address the diverse needs of individuals in crisis.
- Communicate with and foster positive working relationships with team members and external community organizations/resources.
- Attend scheduled team meetings to collaborate with colleagues, discuss individual cases, and contribute to overall program development.
- Attend weekly peer-to-peer supervision to receive and provide support, share experiences, and engage in professional development.
- Safely transport individuals to necessary locations when needed.
- Perform billing tasks as needed, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Handle laundry responsibilities as needed to maintain cleanliness and hygiene within the CRSS space.
- Keep the CRSS room and common areas clean and organized, fostering a comfortable and therapeutic environment.
- Be willing to assist Mobile Crisis Teams as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
- Occupational
- Exposure
- Risk
- Classification: The normal work routine involves minimal exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues.
- The normal work routine has a minimal ergonomic risk for repetitive motion impairment.
- The position may require a minimal amount of physical exertion (bending, lifting, twisting) in the work area.
- The position requires the ability to engage with patients who may become violent and to participate in physical patient holds using approved techniques when necessary.
Required Qualifications
- Education: High School Diploma or GED required.
- Experience: Requires one (1) year of experience providing peer support services.
- Certificate or
- Professional
- License:
- Certified Peer Support Professional Certification (CPSP), Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach Certification (CAPRC) or Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) required, or willing to obtain within 90 days of hire.
- CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) - certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment.
- BLS (Basic Life Support) and First Aid - certification must be obtained after hire and prior to providing direct patient care. This certification must be maintained and kept current through employment.
- Valid driver’s license and active auto insurance coverage.
- Satisfactory results from criminal and driving record background checks
- Must be a minimum 18 years of age
Promise of Equal Opportunity and Fostering a Fair and Respectful Workplace
Bowen Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace. We comply with all applicable laws, including the ADA and OSHA regulations, and provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Safety is a priority for all employees.
Bowen Health prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected statuses. Bowen Health is dedicated to creating opportunities for all employees to thrive and support our mission of compassionate care.
