Peer Family Advocate Job at University of Rochester (Rochester)

Peer Family Advocate

University of Rochester

Location:
United States of America , Rochester

Category:
Health and Beauty

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

18.50 - 24.98 USD / Hour

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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.

Job Responsibility:

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
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

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
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 required
Driver’s license, and satisfactory driving record required

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
February 21, 2026

Employment Type:

Parttime

Work Type:

On-site work

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