Peer Family Advocate

With some latitude, the inpatient Peer Bridger position works in the community and in the Inpatient setting in collaboration with an interdisciplinary clinical leadership team. The focus of this position is to provide linkage to services that engage, support and empower patients and families when the patient is discharged from inpatient with a mental health challenge to regain personal control over their lives and their recovery. The inpatient Peer Bridger serves as a role model during and after treatment and throughout the recovery process.

Responsibilities

Provide linkage to services that engage, support and empower patients and families when the patient is discharged from inpatient with a mental health challenge to regain personal control over their lives and their recovery; Serve as a role model during and after treatment and throughout the recovery process; Engage patients/families by actively listening, building rapport, and trust through facilitation of self-help groups and activities, establishing peer networks, natural and social support systems; Model and teach self-help techniques including assisting clients with identifying individual warning signs of relapse and developing coping strategies; Assist patients in managing crisis on the unit and process crisis management skills; Facilitate patient's exploration and understanding of psychiatric symptoms and assist in identifying areas where support is needed; Assist patients with understanding and exercising patient rights and teach skills to advocate for people with psychiatric disabilities; Teach daily living skills and other skills relevant to rehabilitation goals in individual and group settings; Provide short term intervention to families including emotional support, relevant information, education resources, and access to comfort measures; Assist patients/families with navigating treatment and recovery processes and connecting with appropriate community resources; Work collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary leadership team and participate in treatment planning; Model ICARE Values and support diversity and inclusion strategies that reduce stigma

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED or equivalent combination of experience and education; Experience with population supported (i.e. overcoming the challenges and recovering from mental illness or experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child with emotional or behavioral health challenges); Availability to work a flexible work schedule including occasional evenings and weekends; Effective communication and teaching skills; Ability to empathize with families and/or support systems; Certified Peer Specialist Provisional or Certified Family Peer Advocate Provisional certification; Driver's license and satisfactory driving record

Nice to have

Two years of experience as a Peer Advocate