Peer Counselor

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Navigator will be assigned to the Citywide Peer Team. Citywide Case Management is a UCSF/ San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) Department of Psychiatry outpatient program located at 1263 Mission Street, San Francisco. Its mission is to provide intensive case management services to adults who suffer from severe mental illness, co-occurring substance abuse disorders and many who also have chronic medical issues. Under the supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor, Michelle Swain, the Patient Navigator will provide a range of support services to mentally ill clients including: supports community integration skills; provides individual support; applies personal experience as a consumer of mental health services; serves as a role model of recovery; assist client with seeking outside activities and encourage group participation, advocate for consumers, providing accompaniment when indicated to housing, financial, health and legal resources; manages work time effectively, efficiently and productively; works collaboratively with case managers and Wellness Team to provide first hand perspective of engagement in treatment; acts as a liaison with community programs; uses good problem solving skills; develops activities, programs and resources which support consumers; maintain client’s records and documentation according to California, San Francisco City and County requirements. Other responsibilities involve monitoring milieu, facilitating therapeutic groups, coordinating and/or organizing client outings, cultural events, and other tasks related to the job.

Requirements

Understanding of mental health issues and sensitivity toward mental health clients
Ability to follow oral and written instructions accurately
Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and work independently in a high-pressure environment
Skills to comprehend and assess patient's grievances to quickly locate appropriate resource for assistance
Ability to work with clients and program staff from diverse cultural and social class backgrounds
Solid interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to be diplomatic and highly organized. Ability to remain calm under pressure and apply sound judgement
Able to lift 50lbs and climb stairs
Good problem-solving skills
Knowledge of computers and software including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word
Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability
Bachelors degree and minimum one year of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

Provides support during patient stay or clinic visit; facilitates scheduling, links patients to services across the health system.
Anticipates patient care coordination needs; provides general road map to patients to set expectations.
Identify and understand the social, health and recovery needs of the client and communicate those needs to the social worker.
Utilize resources that would incorporate the well-being of the mind, body, and spirit to benefit clients’ needs.
In coordination with social worker, facilitates peer support groups; supports consumers in community integration goals; provides individual supportive counseling; applies knowledge as a consumer of mental health services and substance abuse/dual disorder system; provides advocacy and accompaniment; co-leads groups at the center on harm reduction, dual diagnosis, spirituality, hygiene care etc, serves as a role model of recovery.
Help and oversee organization of groups and guest presentations.
Addresses patient grievances at point of service.
Identifies appropriate resource as needed.
Utilizes knowledge of unit or clinic operations to propose new workflows or methods to increase future patient satisfaction.
Gathers and documents patient issues, barriers or concerns by regular patient visits and open communications with families.
Provides reports for management review and planning to increase patient satisfaction.
Maintains client records according to California, City and County requirements; records data in client’s charts; meet program productivity standards; assists in processing quality improvement requests; attend staff and other assigned meetings, and participates in training sessions (e.g., In-services, grand rounds); identifies program problems and makes recommendations to supervisory and administrative staff and other duties as assigned.
Utilizes knowledge of mental health and community resources plan for each client, integrating knowledge of a wide range of human service resources.
Assist social worker to: provide liaison work with the community; develop relationships with community organizations to improve opportunities for clients; coordinate community service activities; work with community providers in accommodating the needs of clients.