Job Title: Crisis Peer Support Specialist (PSS)

Job Classification: Hourly-Non-Exempt

Reports To: Crisis Services Manager

Work Schedule: 1.0 FTE; Monday-Friday

Primary Responsibilities:

The Crisis Peer Support Specialist (PSS) is someone who has experienced mental illness or substance addiction and can draw on their experience with recovery in establishing a safe and supportive relationship with current Kanza clients who are working toward recovery. The primary function of the Crisis PSS is to assist individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis in a safe and supportive way in the community setting, as part of a mobile crisis response team of licensed therapists, case managers, and peer support specialists. The purpose of this position and team is to provide timely response, support, and compassion for individuals in our service region (Kanza office, local hospital, local law enforcement, local school, or home setting) who could be stabilized with wraparound Kanza supports or who may require a higher level of care, such as psychiatric hospitalization. The goals of the mobile crisis response team are to 1. help individuals experiencing a crisis event to experience relief quickly and to resolve the crisis situation; 2. meet individuals and provide support in an environment in which they are comfortable; 3. provide appropriate care and support without the unnecessary use of law enforcement or emergency departments; and 4. fully incorporate crisis response services within the broader system of Kanza care so seamless transitions evolve to connect people in crisis to Kanza care and services based on the assessed need of the individual. The Crisis PSS will provide timely response to all referrals, crisis stabilization supports, and observation. Crisis diversion support may include building relapse prevention skills, symptom management, medication management, building natural & social supports and connecting with additional treatment services as needed.

The Crisis PSS will receive training that includes, but is not limited to, an orientation to mental health and substance uses disorders, crisis intervention & stabilization, relapse prevention & coping skills, medications, general treatment approaches, dealing with emergency needs, basic counseling skills, managing aggressive behaviors, suicide assessment, professional standards and ethics and clinical documentation. Hours of work will be in response to individual crisis needs, which includes shift work, as needed, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Minimum Qualifications:

· BS or BA degree in Human Services Field or 4 years of education/experience in the human services field.

· 21 years of age or older

· Valid Driver’s License

· Able to complete a Kansas Certified Peer Support training program and application for certification and other required trainings within six months of employment.

· Must be willing to self-identify as a person who has experienced mental illness or substance dependence, is familiar with the recovery journey and treatment resources, and is currently in recovery.

· Establish a minimum of one year in stable recovery from significant mental health or substance use issues and has not used specialized services such as Crisis Services, Detox or Residential, or Community Supports in at least one year.

· Strong organizational skills.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Effective utilization of basic office technology

· Proficient in the English language

· Pass all required background checks

Essential Job Functions:

· Respond in a timely manner to all referrals in the community or office setting.

· Provide crisis stabilization support and observation as part of a crisis team.

· Manage crisis situations effectively using positive approaches and maintain a therapeutic setting while assessing triggers & precursors to symptoms and risk factors to assist in stabilizing their crisis symptoms.

· Demonstrates knowledge of program protocols and behavior management in carrying out suicide precautions, welfare checks, detox protocol and general treatment models as identified.

· Respond to crisis situations calm & non-reactive by utilizing non-physical de-escalation techniques to intervene with in crisis in a safe manner to de-escalate situations whenever possible. Assists in facilitating and processing with post crisis.

· Collaborates with medical and law enforcement personnel as needed while protecting confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.

· Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, working in conjunction with therapists, case managers, peer support specialists, medication providers, and crisis care staff.

· Maintain a safe, clean, organized work environment for individual and staff by assisting in daily maintenance and general upkeep of the crisis location which includes but not limited to program laundry, general house cleaning, meal preparation & following menus, emergency drills, follow & carry-out program guidelines as directed by Crisis Services Manager.

· Assists with the admissions, discharges, frequent safety checks, appointments and transport of individuals.

· Follow safety guidelines and provide training when providing observation and support in both the office and community settings to keep the individual, yourself, and other staff safe

· Complete all paperwork required, (i.e., progress notes, incident reports, timesheets, mileage, etc.) by the end of each shift.

· Timely attendance and punctuality to all scheduled shifts, trainings, supervision etc. Provide appropriate notice and follow program protocol on notification prior to absence and tardiness.

· Establish appropriate and professional boundaries with individuals and treaters. Treat individuals and treaters with dignity and respect always.

· Consistently demonstrate the ability to work positively and effectively within a team as well as individually.

· Consistently demonstrate effective communication skills with individuals, coworkers and supervisors.

· Assure compliance with program policies and procedures.

· Maintain agency and department training on an annual basis.

· Complete other duties assigned both written and implied.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position is not a supervisory position.

Physical Demands:

· Required to frequently move around different settings including office, community, and home settings. Required to use a company vehicle across different community areas frequently. Required to sit and use a laptop and phone frequently.

Work Environment:

· Main worksite for this position will be the Hiawatha Main Office and/or Community Services Building – however travel to community outreach settings, such as hospitals or client homes, in the Kanza service region of Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, and Nemaha Counties is required.

· Risk of exposure to aggressive or acting out behaviors (verbal and/or physical)

· Professional office environment

· Interaction with other staff members

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $19.81 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Healthcare setting:

• Community health center
• Outpatient

Medical specialties:

• Addiction Medicine
• Psychiatry

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Ability to Relocate:

• Hiawatha, KS 66434: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person