Crisis Peer Support Specialist

Seneca Health Services is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center in wild, wonderful West Virginia. We provide responsible, accessible, and progressive behavioral health services. We have a wide range of professionals who are passionate about helping our clients through substance use or mental health treatment. With four outpatient clinics and an intensive treatment location in Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pocahontas and Webster Counties, we serve a wide population. Our services include Crisis Services, Substance Use Disorder Assistance, Mental Health Services, and Intellectual Disabilities Support. We are committed to supporting the well-being of our team members by offering comprehensive and innovative compensation and benefits package that prioritizes work-life balance. Some of our offerings include flexible schedules, remote work options (when possible), retirement, generous paid time off, lifestyle spending account, professional development, tuition assistance and loan repayment – all designed to promote both physical and mental health. We believe that a healthy, happy workforce is key to success, and we strive to create a supportive environment that allows our staff to thrive both professionally and personally. Crisis Peer Support Specialists serve as a member of the Crisis Response Team to provide crisis services to individuals in the community and linkage to Seneca services and programs. Provide intensive crisis services for clients at risk of involuntary commitment to a state psychiatric hospital or to a diversion psychiatric hospital. Provide or arrange for community-based outpatient and residential treatment in addition to supports prior to, during, and following the mental hygiene process in order to avoid unnecessary hospital admission. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma or GED required. Personal history as a consumer of behavioral health services. Prefer a veteran or experience providing services to veterans. Valid driver’s license and vehicle required. Must pass a Criminal Background Check and Employment Fitness Determination through WVCARES and a drug screen. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED Able to represent Seneca in a positive manner i.e. maintaining a positive attitude/performing duties in a manner in accordance with Seneca’s Mission & Code of Conduct/Ethical Practices. Demonstrated knowledge of basic computer skills required ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Serve as a personal guide and mentor for individuals with mental health and/or substance use difficulties. Share and discuss common experiences; answer questions and provide referrals for the services/supports necessary to promote mental health for individuals served. Help individuals discover, access, and utilize ways to maintain mental health or reduce the harm associated with behaviors negatively affecting their mental health. Link and refer individuals to resources for treatment, family support, education, housing and local or online support groups. Establish/maintain peer-led groups or classes to support improved health outcomes. Complete assessments and track progress to maintain client engagement in treatment. Obtain authorization and document services provided, as required. Collaborate with hospital emergency room staff and Seneca crisis workers to directly engage high risk, high need clients and families in order to identify early signs of treatment non-compliance or at-risk behaviors which could result in a probable cause hearing. The goal is to avoid the probable cause hearing. Provide timely coordination with local providers, including hospital ERs, DHHR protective service workers, mental hygiene commissioners, magistrates, law enforcement, crisis stabilization units, and other non-hospital diversion resources. Assist in increasing utilization of alternatives to commitment by assessing the feasibility of Voluntary Treatment Agreements, use of crisis units, and the provision of crisis intervention services. Participate in team meetings. Work closely with other members of the IDT. Maintain frequent contact with high-risk clients by closely monitoring medication compliance and treatment compliance in the community and homes, especially for those clients with a high rate of recidivism through at-risk tracking and/or other tracking methods. Ensure linkage with community housing options, other community supports as provided by other agencies, and other non-institutional living options by making referrals to Case Managers, when appropriate. Provide support and assistance for community integration by providing or arranging transportation, shopping opportunities, gaining access to medication and other health services, and money management by making referrals to Case Managers, when appropriate. Represent Seneca in a positive manner including maintaining a positive attitude and performing duties in a manner in accordance with Seneca’s Mission and Code of Conduct and Ethical Practices. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Minimum Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use of arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; bend or crouch; talk and hear; and drive a motor vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and rarely up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and distance vision. Local travel required. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.