Peer Support Specialist (CRU)

Job Summary

This position supports clients during their stay by providing compassionate care, de-escalation, and coordination of services. Responsibilities include developing discharge and safety plans, offering follow-up support, and connecting clients to community resources.

The specialist collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and maintains accurate documentation while upholding confidentiality and professional standards. Some evening or weekend hours may be required based on client and program needs.

Essential Functions

• Engage and collaborate with clients presenting for care at the Resource and Crisis Center
• Provide continuity of care throughout the client’s stay, including:
  • Developing discharge plans
  • Providing consistent follow-up post-discharge to support engagement in services
• Encourage client participation in the care process during a crisis, clearly communicating all options and aligning with client preferences whenever possible
• Function as an integral member of the Crisis Center interdisciplinary team to maximize client care
• Welcome clients to the Crisis Center and create a safe, supportive rapport
• De-escalate clients as needed, interacting from a posture of dignity and respect
• Provide information and assist clients with referrals to preferred community services
• Contribute to interdisciplinary treatment team decisions
• Collaborate with clients to create and implement safety plans
• Provide follow-up support post-discharge, assisting with service access and navigating barriers
• Interact with clients as peers by sharing common experiences when appropriate
• Assist clients in understanding and managing their symptoms
• Connect clients to self-help groups when appropriate
• Maintain strict confidentiality at all times
• Participate in weekly clinical supervision with licensed/certified staff
• Advocate for client needs, preferences, rights, and responsibilities
• Assist clients in accessing local programs and services and track follow-up activities
• Complete required electronic and paper medical record documentation
• Attend staff meetings and crisis debriefings as scheduled
• Support clients while completing tasks such as:
  • Contraband searches
  • Close observations
  • Environmental checks
  • Meals and paperwork
• Communicate and document critical incidents involving clients or staff to supervisors
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements and Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate’s degree or higher preferred

Training / Certifications

• MDHHS Certified Peer Support Specialist
• Familiarity with community resources for mental health and substance use treatment

Experience

• Two years of experience in mental health, substance use treatment, or discharge planning in a hospital or community setting
• Two years of professional crisis experience (hospital, crisis center, child welfare, etc.)

Job-Specific Competencies / Skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure
• Empathy and strong ethical standards
• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills

Knowledge Requirements

• HIPAA
• Microsoft 365
• Recipient Rights
• Mental Health Code
• Medicaid Manual
• Regulatory compliance

Oakland Community Health Network’s Core Competencies

• Integrity / Building Trust
  Demonstrates ethical behavior, professionalism, and alignment with organizational values

• Customer Focus
  Prioritizes client needs and builds strong, supportive relationships

• Continuous Learning
  Actively pursues growth and applies new knowledge on the job

• Work Standards
  Maintains high performance standards and accountability

• Communication
  Clearly conveys information in a way that engages and informs others

Additional Information

• Must be available for meetings and events outside standard office hours as needed
• Work is performed primarily in a crisis center environment
• Must be able to meet physical job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation

Equal Opportunity Statement

OCHN is committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive and equitable culture. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that embraces and encourages employees’ differences.

This includes (but is not limited to) ability, age, color, family type, gender expression and identity, individual expression, medical conditions, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, and other diverse characteristics.