Crisis Behavioral Health Peer Advocate

Memorial Regional Health•Craig, CO

12h•$21 - $31•Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Behavioral Health Peer Advocate provides compassionate, peer-based support to Memorial Regional Health (MRH) patients, offering emotional support, care coordination, and connection to essential services. This role combines frontline advocacy, short-term case management, and crisis response to assess needs and recommend appropriate care options for patients, families, and referring providers. Working within the hospital system, the Peer Advocate supports person-centered, collaborative care planning and helps bridge services between MRH and community and statewide partner organizations. This position also engages with external stakeholders to promote behavioral health awareness, education, and access to resources across the community.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Must successfully pass a background check.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and breath alcohol test (if applicable).
Must complete an Employee Health meeting prior to starting employment.
CO Peer and Family Specialist Certification (or be obtained within 1 year of hire).

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish
Experience resolving high-stress or high-conflict situations.
Two (2) years of experience working in behavioral health evaluations, advocacy, or substance use fields.

Responsibilities

Engages with patients, MRH employees, and other stakeholders using trauma-informed and culturally sensitive communication in alignment with MRH Values.
Maintains client privacy and confidentiality within the system of advocacy and performs mandatory reporting requirements.
Coordinates behavioral health projects, meetings, trainings, and schedules appointments as needed.
Attends and documents meetings with stakeholders and provides insight and expertise.
Assists in departmental administration, scheduling, and operations as requested.
Performs Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) assessment/evaluation of patients, including making suggestions and referrals in compliance with HIPAA and other applicable laws and regulations.
Assists patients in crafting safety plans to reduce the risk of suicide, as appropriate.
Conducts and documents high-quality evaluations of suicide risk, mental status, and social needs in order to provide critical information to medical staff and coordinate care with external partners.
Refers patients for treatment and state-approved 27-65 facilities and coordinates the acceptance and transfer of patients to those facilities.
Recognizes behavioral health concerns ranging from suicidal ideation, substance use or abuse, or social needs contributing to overall health and wellness, and makes recommendations or referrals for patients.
Assists with behavioral health discharge planning at time of admission (multi-disciplinary team approach).
Acts as a patient advocate and resource person to staff and patients.
Works collaboratively with discharge planning and care coordination teams for continuity of care.
Maintains updated resource information for the department and for MRH systems as a whole.
Participates in the development of standardized processes and procedures that create and support efficient and effective continuity of care.
Develops and maintains relationships with community partners.
Develops and provides training on behavioral health topics for MRH employees and external stakeholders as requested.
Provides exceptional de-escalation skills to help mitigate difficult situations and resolve situations that involve heightened emotions.
As programs develop, participates in coverage for on-call behavioral health supports for the Emergency Department.
Attends relevant trainings as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates full commitment to the CHOICE values of MRH and consistently represents the organization in a positive, professional manner.
Establishes and maintains effective verbal and written communication, fostering positive working relationships with patients, staff, and vendors.
Adheres to the MRH attire and dress code in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Exhibits initiative and self-motivation; maintains a consistent level of productivity and manages time and responsibilities effectively.
Completes all required annual education, training, in-services, and licensure/certification updates; actively participates in departmental and organizational meetings or reviews meeting minutes as required.
Maintains strict patient confidentiality at all times.
Reports to work punctually and completes assigned duties within established timeframes.
Actively contributes to departmental and organization-wide performance improvement and continuous quality initiatives.
Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, maintaining adherence to departmental, hospital, state, and federal standards and policies.
Follows all infection control, safety, and risk management procedures to maintain a safe environment for patients, the public, and staff.