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 the facilitation of self-help groups and activities, establishing peer networks, natural and social support systems; Assist patients in managing crisis on the unit and process crisis management skills; Provide short term intervention to families; Maintain current knowledge and supports the policies and procedures of community resources; Collaborate as a member of the interdisciplinary leadership team and participate in treatment planning; Other duties as assigned

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required; 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) required; or equivalent combination of experience and education required; Availability to work a flexible work schedule including occasional evenings and weekends, effective communication and teaching skills, and the ability to empathize families and/or support systems, required; Certified Peer Specialist Provisional or Certified Family Peer Advocate Provisional certification required; Driver’s license, and satisfactory driving record required

Nice to have

Two years of experience as a Peer Advocate