Crisis Peer Support Specialist

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Job Title: Crisis Peer Support Specialist 

About Acenda Integrated Health 

Acenda Integrated Health provides 100+ behavioral health programs, including mental health services, crisis care, substance use recovery, family therapy, maternal and pediatric support, and residential programs across New Jersey. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, work-life balance, professional development, and team engaging events. Acenda is recognized as a multi-year Top Workplace by USA Today and The Inquirer and a Top Workplace Culture award winner for Work-Life Balance as well as Joint Commission accredited and certified by MHCA and the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families. Join #TeamAcenda and make a lasting impact. 

Job Overview 

The Crisis Peer woks alongside the screening team to support individuals 

Peer provides linkages, utilizes lived experience and empowerment to support individuals and family/loved ones, and ensures warm handoff to services during screening follow ups for community-based discharges.  

If qualified and/or state waiver approved, may act in the capacity of a Crisis Intervention Specialist. 

As an integrated health organization Acenda values the use of evidence-based practice or EBP's. 

Program Info 

Psychiatric Emergency Rehabilitation Services (PERS) is a crisis intervention service that offers face-to-face crisis and emergency intervention to individuals who are suicidal, homicidal, or acutely psychotic 24’7 / 365 days a year. 

Responsibilities:

• Engages clients and utilizes de-escalation techniques, trauma informed care, as well as motivational interviewing. 

• Demonstrates competent written and verbal communication with referral sources and external customers. 

• Function as a support to clients through advocacy, symptom management education, case management, and peer engagement; exhibiting competency in the use of coping skills and in navigating and accessing supportive resources when needed. 

• Acts as a liaison for individuals and family/loved ones in connection to services. Assures referrals and linkages are completed. 

• Meets obligations of the program (contractual, licensing, Medicaid, etc.). 

• Follows program policies and procedures and encourages the same in others. 

• Must be sensitive, flexible and responsive to gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other special needs as reflected in the ability to communicate with staff and/or clients. 

• Educates self on issues impacting the program population. 

• Performs other related duties as assigned.  

• If acting as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, provide counseling, assessment (under supervision of certified screener), crisis outreach and hotline coverage.  

Requirements:

• High School diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or mental health related field preferred. 

• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS), Certified Recovery Support Practitioner (CRSP) or National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS)   

• Lived experience with mental health or co-occurring. 

• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record  

• Must be able to exercise independent thinking and good judgment under all circumstances. 

• Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans and utilize time effectively and efficiently. 

Additional Information:

• Hourly Rate: $21.63 per hour
• Sign-on Bonus: $750
• Bilingual Rate: An additional $1.50/ hourly incentive added if Spanish proficient

What we provide:

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency
• Mission-driven core
• Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family
• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp
• Generous time-off
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Year-end bonuses

Acenda Integrated Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Department/Program