URGENT CARE PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS)

Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS) is a 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit Designated Agency serving Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties. Our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities by promoting hope, healing, and support.

NKHS provides a wide range of community-based mental health, substance use, and developmental services to nearly 4,000 individuals annually. With more than 450 employees, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care across the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Urgent Care Peer Support Specialist

The Peer Support Specialist for Urgent Care Services is an essential member of a multidisciplinary team that responds to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring crises. The Peer Support Specialist provides initial peer counseling and works collaboratively with a mental health and substance use care professional to provide crisis intervention, assessment, and follow-up services to individuals of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the mental health and substance use care professional to form a cohesive multidisciplinary team that responds to crisis situations in a timely manner.
• Conduct crisis screening and assessment under the supervision of the mental health and substance use care professional, ensuring the individual's safety and determining appropriate disposition.
• Work closely with individuals and families to address the identified crisis issues and provide emotional support, empathy, and active listening.
• Connect individuals to appropriate level of care such as outpatient and community based services, emergency department and inpatient services, when needed, through warm hand-offs and transportation coordination.
• Provide follow-up services, either in-person, via telehealth, or telephonically, to individuals who are not admitted to a 24-hour treatment setting, ensuring linkage to needed supports and aftercare services.
• Document crisis interventions accurately and thoroughly using the designated crisis assessment form, including assessment findings, observed mental status, and risk evaluation.
• Collaborate with 911 and 988 for direct telephone transfers and ensure seamless communication with emergency services.[BJ1]
• Adhere to Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards and ensure inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility for both staff and clients.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance crisis intervention skills and knowledge.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Experience working in a mental health, substance use, or crisis intervention setting is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to provide empathetic and nonjudgmental support to individuals in crisis.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and the ability to apply them in crisis interventions.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to document interventions accurately.
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals.
• Proficiency in adhering to crisis response protocols and working under pressure to meet response time targets.
• Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards.

Salary & Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $21.25 – $25.97, based on qualifications
• Tuition & continuing education reimbursements and loan repayment program.
• Health and dental insurance.
• 403b retirement plan with Agency contribution and match.
• Generous paid time off, 12 sick days and 12 paid holidays.
• Outstanding employee wellness program
• Exceptional benefits package including low-cost medical and dental, short-/long-term disability coverages, life insurance, employee assistance program, and additional optional benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NKHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Salary : $21 - $26