Job Description

With some latitude, the Peer/Family Advocate position works in a community and/or inpatient or outpatient clinical setting in collaboration with an interdisciplinary clinical leadership team. The focus of this position is to provide services that engage, support and empower patients and families when the patient is faced with a mental health challenge to regain personal control over their lives and their recovery. The Peer/Family Advocate serves as a role model during their treatment and recovery process. TYPICAL DUTIES: Engages 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. Effectively communicates with patients as a peer and shares common experiences to benefit patient growth. Models and teaches self-help techniques including but not limited to assisting clients with identifying their individual warning signs of relapse and with developing coping strategies. Assists patients/families in identifying crisis plan, crisis management plan and natural supports. Facilitates patient's/ family's explorations and understanding of their psychiatric symptoms and assists in identifying areas in which they require support. Assists patients/family's with understanding and exercising their patient rights, and teaches skills to advocate for the needs of people with psychiatric disabilities within the mental health and human services delivery systems. May assist patients/family's in the development of a patient safety plan and promptly reports any lethality concerns to the clinical team. Teaches patients daily living skills, learning, working, socializing, recreating, parenting and/or other skills relevant to the patient's rehabilitation goals. Provides short term intervention to families that includes but is not limited to emotional support, relevant information, education resources, and access to comfort measures while supporting the patient. Assists patient/families with navigating treatment and recovery processes, communicating with treatment and recovery staff, and identifying and effectively communicating concerns. Maintains current knowledge and supports the policies and procedures of community resources, assists families with identifying their needs and providing and/or connecting them with appropriate community resources, and advocates. Works collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary leadership team and participates in treatment planning. Models ICARE Values, supports diversity and inclusion strategies and approaches that reduce stigma, engages patients, and promote patient-driven decision making. with clinical leadership team to provide referrals and connections to those resources. Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: 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. Two years of experience as a Peer Advocate preferred 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. New York State Family Peer Advocate certification. Driver's license, and satisfactory driving record. NOTE: This document describes typical duties and responsibilities and is not intended to limit management from assigning other work as required. The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

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