Peer/Family Advocate

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 identifying crisis plan, crisis management plan and 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.

Teach patients daily living skills, learning, working, socializing, recreating, parenting and/or other skills relevant to the patient’s rehabilitation goals.

May assist patients in effectively communicating their Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP plan).

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.

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 with clinical leadership team to provide referrals and connections to those resources.

Assists patient/families with navigating treatment and recovery processes, communicating with treatment and recovery staff, and identifying and effectively communicating concerns.

Strengthens patient and family advocate satisfaction by assisting patients and family advocates with resolving concerns.

Strengthens patient and family advocate satisfaction by assisting patients and family advocates with resolving concerns

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.

Assists patient advocates with navigating treatment and recovery processes, communicating with treatment and recovery staff, and identifying and effectively communicating concerns.

Supports the completion of satisfaction surveys by patients and families.

Actively participates in ongoing peer advocate networking and training, maintains strict confidentiality, and attends staff meetings.

Maintains accurate and timely patient and family progress notes.

Attends Program staff meetings.

Subscribes to the Departmental policy of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences.

Participates in available cultural competency events and training appropriate to job duties.