Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist

The Mobile Crisis Peer Support Specialist will leverage personal lived experiences and understanding of behavioral health challenges to provide real-time support to individuals experiencing acute crisis related to mental health, substance use, co-occurring disorders and/or significant behavioral challenges that are active or cyclical in nature that may jeopardize current community living situation. Mobile Crisis Response includes response in the home or community of the individual to de-escalate crisis, safety/crisis planning, brief interventions, linkage and referral to services and coordinating care with community partners and stakeholders thereby minimizing the likelihood of inpatient psychiatric treatment and promoting the maintenance of natural and existing supports where the individual lives, works, participates in services, or socializes (i.e., includes but is not limited to schools, homes, places of employment or education, and/or community settings) must be available for varying shifts, including holidays falling within. Whether it's through direct intervention, follow-up services, or community outreach, your efforts will help promote recovery and enhance the wellbeing of those in distress. Because this position is mobile, the clinician will use an agency vehicle per response or be reimbursed for mileage, with prior approval.

**Please provide a cover letter describing your recovery history and time in recovery.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Requirements

• High School graduate or GED required.
• Valid drivers' license and safe driving record required.
• Must be, or have previously been a recipient of mental health services or substance use disorder services for a mental illness or substance use disorder and should be well along in the recovery process.
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist or able to obtain after hire within nine months

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide immediate crisis supports to schools, homes, and places of employment or education, and/or community settings within the required timeframe to areas of AHCS catchment
• Provides supportive level counseling throughout the Emergency Custody Order (ECO) process and refers problems to appropriate staff members as required
• Records individual served progress and communicates with treatment team regarding progress and concerns
• Provides follow up outreach to individuals served in the form of face to face and/or phone contact

BENEFITS

Employer match on retirement contributions, PTO Leave. Pay increase to $16 per hour after obtaining Certification.

Candidates who are offered a position must undergo a background check, including social services review, and drug screen. Virginia has restrictions on hiring individuals with certain convictions. Here is the list: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/assets/doc/hr/biu/attachment-2rev072019.pdf - http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/assets/doc/hr/biu/attachment-2rev072019.pdf