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