Lead Crisis Behavioral Health Peer Advocate

Pay Range for this position is $22.26-$33.38 DOE

Essential Functions and Basic Duties

Supervisory-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates unwavering commitment to high performance in alignment with the CHOICE values of MRH, representing the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Oversees departmental operations through effective communication and in accordance with the employee handbook, policies, procedures, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, onboarding, training, planning, assigning, and directing work; establishing deadlines; scheduling; timekeeping; providing continuous performance feedback.
• Plans, coordinates, assigns, and monitors departmental performance while coaching, counseling, mentoring, training, and advising staff to achieve both departmental objectives and employee career development goals.
• Interprets, develops, communicates, updates, and monitors departmental policies, procedures, and standards in compliance with applicable laws and organizational objectives.
• Assists with budget preparation.
• Develops and implements short- and long-term goals, objectives, and strategies for the department, projects, and programs to ensure efficient operations and timely completion of work.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintains and enhances professional knowledge and skills through seminars, training programs, and ongoing review of industry publications and resources.
• Serves as a liaison and/or active member of committees, boards, and teams, collaborating, persuading, presenting reports, and negotiating with individuals and groups outside the department to coordinate efforts and maintain cooperative, productive relationships.

Position-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Provide trauma-informed, recovery-oriented peer support to patients in crisis, drawing on lived experience with behavioral health, substance use, or related recovery.
• Engage patients and families with empathy, active listening, and non-clinical emotional support during acute crisis presentations.
• Assist patients in identifying personal strengths, coping strategies, and community/recovery resources.
• Support warm hand-offs and continuity of care during transitions (e. g., discharge, transfer, follow-up scheduling).
• Serve as the lead point of contact for the peer support team, coordinating scheduling, coverage, and day-to day workflow.
• Mentor and onboard new peer advocates, modeling adherence to scope-of-practice boundaries.
• Facilitate regular team huddles or debriefs, particularly after high-acuity or difficult encounters.
• Participate in ongoing program development, including refinement of peer support workflows and referral pathways.
• Track and report basic program metrics (e. g., encounters, referral outcomes) to support program evaluation.
• Assist with training staff across departments on the role and boundaries of peer support services.
• Manage and maintain Safety Support Specialist Program, including scheduling.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Organization-Specific Performance Expectations, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates full commitment to the CHOICE values of MRH and consistently represents the organization in a positive, professional manner.
• Establishes and maintains effective verbal and written communication, fostering positive working relationships with patients, staff, and vendors.
• Adheres to the MRH attire and dress code in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Exhibits initiative and self-motivation; maintains a consistent level of productivity and manages time and responsibilities effectively.
• Completes all required annual education, training, in-services, and licensure/certification updates; actively participates in departmental and organizational meetings or reviews meeting minutes as required.
• Maintains strict patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work punctually and completes assigned duties within established timeframes.
• Actively contributes to departmental and organization-wide performance improvement and continuous quality initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, maintaining adherence to departmental, hospital, state, and federal standards and policies.
• Follows all infection control, safety, and risk management procedures to maintain a safe environment for patients, the public, and staff.

Qualifications

• Colorado Certified Peer Specialist credential, or eligibility to obtain with a year from hire date.
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a peer support role, with demonstrated leadership or mentorship experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to work effectively with a hospital/ED environment alongside clinical staff, EMS, and providers.
• Obtain DT4EMS certification within a year from hire date.
• Must be at least 18 years of age (21 for positions requiring driving, with a valid driver’s license).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and breath alcohol test (if applicable).
• Must complete an Employee Health meeting prior to starting employment.

Education, Licensure(S), and Certification(S)

Required

Preferred

Colorado Certified Peer Specialist, obtain within a year of hire.