The Registered Peer Support Specialist (RPSS) is an active member of the Choices' Jefferson Parish Mobile Crisis Team and provides support services to consumers and families who have experienced a behavioral health crisis. Under supervision of the Lead Clinical Evaluator, the Registered Peer Support Specialist functions as a role model to clients; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serves as a consumer advocate, providing consumer or family information for continued stabilization. The Registered Peer Support Specialist performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages, from young adult to old age, in regaining optimal functioning within the community and mastery over their own recovery process.

The Choices Jefferson Parish Mobile Crisis Team are responsible for 24/7 mobile emergency responses for youth and adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis in Jefferson Parish. The MCS team operates from a strengths-based perspective, collaborating with first responders, community stakeholders, clinical leadership, and fellow mobile crisis responders. The MCS team will work within a culture of crisis prevention, making every effort to ensure individuals are effectively stabilized within their home and community whenever possible. The MCS team will ensure appropriate follow-up for individuals who have experienced a crisis event and ensure linkage to ongoing supports and services, operating in an enhanced localized crisis response system contributing to the goal of increased community stabilization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Can articulate the mission, vision and practices of the MCS program consumers.
2. Communicates the practice expectations of the emergency response system to consumers, community partners, and funders.
3. Responds to crisis referrals according to Choices’ policy.
4. Provides back up when requested if contacted by first responders.
5. Adheres to the policies and protocols established by Choices for the management of a 24/7 mobile crisis response system.
6. Incorporates the guiding principles and values of Systems of Care into their interactions with youth and families, fellow team members, Choices staff and system partners.
7. Communicates effectively with Choices Leadership Team to ensure collaborative efforts and proactive response to issues and concerns.
8. Maintains positive working relationships with co-workers.
9. Follows established strategic plans and quality improvement procedures to achieve stated goals and enhance the experience of referred individuals with mobile crisis response services.
10. Ensures collection of all necessary service data.
11. Participates in scheduled meetings to review performance and quality indicators and makes recommended adjustments to improve the response and stabilization service.
12. Willingly completes other duties as assigned to advance the mission of the Mobile Crisis Team.

Qualifications

1. High School Diploma or GED. Some college preferred.
2. Prior 2 years’ experience with behavioral health crisis response.
3. Strong communication and writing skills. Bi-lingual skills (Spanish) a plus.
4. Strongly Preferred - live in Orleans or Jefferson parish.
5. Required - Registered Peer Support Specialist certification.
6. Familiarity with area resources.
7. Highly organized, and effectively manages multiple priorities simultaneously.
8. Professionally articulate in communicating (oral and written) service expectations, strengths and needs of clients and outcomes.
9. Demonstrated professionalism working in teams with internal colleagues and external audiences in both person and through various electronic media.
10. Enthusiastic about advancing system change within the community.
11. Must possess a valid driver’s license in the state of residence, auto insurance and reliable vehicle.

Salary: $18.00 - $20.00/hour ($37,440-$41,600 annually) dependent on experience

Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Employer Paid Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability
• 401k Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous PTO plan
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program