Certified Family Partner

Job Title: Certified Family Partner

Reports to: Plano Regional Director

Job Summary

               A Certified Family Partner is a trained professional that serves as a bridge between the clinical case workers, doctors, psychiatrists, and counselors here and the Child and Family Guidance Center. The Family Partner is highly qualified and has received specialized training and certification to use their experience to help families navigate the system of care and access services. They provide support, encouragement, hope, guidance and understanding to parents or caregivers of children with emotional mental or behavioral health challenges. They can also facilitate support groups, participate in wraparound services and help families connect with community resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Adhere to all current federal and state laws, as well as CFGC Policies and Procedures, including the safeguarding of confidential healthcare information and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
2. Comply with initial and annual training requirements within and outside of the agency in order to maintain certification and competency.

3 .Attend staff/agency meetings as required

1. Maintain cooperative working relationships with all agency staff and community partners
2. Perform duties without violating any ethical codes, state or federal codes or requirements
3. Maintain all case records (notes, treatment plans, etc.) in accordance with agency standards.
4. Document with the understanding that all clinical notations are considered legal documents and can be used in the court of law. All documentation should be true and accurate and under no circumstance falsified in any manner.
5. Prepare and present all assigned cases for review by supervisor, as required.
6. Immediately contact your supervisor if you suspect a consumer has been a victim of abuse or neglect.
7. Immediately contact your supervisor if you have been called to testify or be involved in legal proceedings.
8. Attend all Team, Individual, and Training Meetings as required and scheduled by management.
9. Maintain professional certification and/or licensure, as this applies.
10. Provide and maintain a valid driver’s license and copy of current auto liability insurance.
11. This position requires some local travel and visits to patient residence and employees are responsible for providing their own transportation.
12. Must have a working phone to provide services and be eligible for phone reimbursement.
13. Provide services and maintain benchmark efficiency standards set by agency.
14. Maintain professional boundaries with patients, families and others in the community and adhere to ethical guidelines.
15. Professionally represent self within community of involvement understanding that you are a representation of a larger entity. Ensure community is aware of all services offered within the agency.

Job Specific Duties and Expectations:

1. Advocate for the positive choices and the self advocacy of the patient and/or Legal Authorized Representative (LAR), and support the positive vision for their mental health and recovery.
2. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to assist in empowering their patients in owning their recovery.
3. Support and guide through individual meetings and through the facilitation of peer-led life skills and educational support groups.
4. Role-model the concepts of hope, self-advocacy and self-care skills that will ultimately benefit the resilience and recovery of the patient.
5. Assist patients in accessing services with Child and Family Guidance Center and in the community.
6. Document activities per the agency guidelines.
7. Ability to de-escalate patients and support them as needed as part of a treatment team.
8. Collaborate with members of the treatment team in providing services and in the formation of a recovery plan
9. Connect to community resources and informal supports.
10. Identify the patient strengths and natural supports; and practical guidance in nurturing those relationships.
11. Have the ability to develop rapport with patients and build trusting relationships.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

1.Knowledge:  General understanding of adult and child mental health disorders, treatment of disorders, and documentation of treatment provided.  Knowledge of confidentiality and ethical guidelines for practice.

1. Education: Have received a HS Diploma, Peer Support Specialist certification is a plus. Must be willing and available to attend the multiday training for certification.
2. Skills: Bilingual in Spanish and/or American Sign Language a plus. Should possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be goal oriented, motivated, and capable of working independently and using good judgment. Must possess strong understanding and ability to work with diverse populations including various cultures, racial groups, and socio-economic levels. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and internal billing and scheduling system or similar product. Ability to relate to consumers, employees, and the general public in a professional manner. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Must be able to prioritize and have strong organizational skills. Ability to adhere to articulated policy and procedures. Ability to provide home visits as required.

4.Experience: Have experience in navigating the mental health system, including the substance abuse system. They can articulate their lived experience to other patients and families for the purpose of educating, role modeling and providing hope related to the recovery process. Their lived experience can speak to accomplishments that concern mental health issues.

Physical Requirements:

1. Employee must be able to frequently (up to 65% of the time) sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs (if an elevator is unavailable).
2. Must be able to frequently (up to 65% of the time) talk, listen and speak clearly in person and via telephone.

3. Must be able to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 10 lbs. in weight on occasion (up