Peer Family Advocate

001 University of Rochester; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Rochester is seeking a part-time Peer Bridger to support patients and families during discharge from inpatient psychiatry. You will work with an interdisciplinary team to provide linkage to services and empower recovery in and out of inpatient settings.

The role emphasizes peer support, crisis management coaching, and teaching daily living skills to promote patient empowerment and self-efficacy within a respectful, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two years of experience as a Peer Advocate preferred or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Certified Peer Specialist Provisional certification required.

Responsibilities

• Engages patients/families by actively listening, building rapport, and trust.
• Effectively communicates with patients as a peer and shares common experiences.
• Models and teaches self-help techniques and coping strategies.
• Assists patients in managing crisis on the unit and reviews crisis plans.
• Facilitates explorations of psychiatric symptoms and support needs.
• Advocates for patient rights and helps connect to community resources.

Skills

Active listening

Communication

Empathy

Group facilitation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Peer Specialist Provisional

Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. Job Location (Full Address): 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642 Opening: Worker Subtype: Regular Time Type: Part time Scheduled Weekly Hours: 20 Department: 500133 Psychiatry SMH Crisis Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America) Range: UR URCA 204 H

Compensation Range: $19.15 - $25.85 The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 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 in managing crisis on the unit and process crisis management skills and as needed review the crisis plan to utilize in the community and direct to natural supports.
• Facilitates patient's explorations and understanding of their psychiatric symptoms and assists in identifying areas in which they require support.
• Assists patients 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 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 in both individual and group settings.
• Has latitude to facilitate group services.
• 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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

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

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Peer Specialist Provisional or Certified Family Peer Advocate Provisional certification required Driver's license, and satisfactory driving record 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 Characteristics). 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.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world's leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries- always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you're looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals. At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better-Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.