Peer Health Coach

Job Summary: This position will provide primary health care educational and support services to SMI consumers who are enrolled in a behavioral health care setting. Idea of partnering with consumers to create wellness and recovery plans. 

Responsibilities: 

• Engage consumers in health promotion planning and activities, including the provision of motivational interventions to increase treatment and medication compliance and support lifestyle changes. 
• Provide health education specific to chronic conditions 
• Develop, with the consumer and if possible, the family, of self-management goals to be included in the service plan 
• Monitor progress on self-management goals 
• Providing support for the self-management goals included in the service plan 
• Provide skill development activities to help the consumer understand and manage the different health conditions affecting them 
• Provide support and best practices to help consumers learn the skills necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  This includes but not limited to learning how to plan nutritious meals, shop for health foods, prepare meals, practice mindfulness in eating, plan and implement a program for regular exercise and fitness and proper sleep, avoid or reduce harmful behaviors (smoking, substance use, overeating etc.) and maintain personal hygiene and a healthy home. 
• Facilitate and engage consumers in community support.  This requires helping consumers develop and strengthen family supports and other community supports to assist them in recovering from behavioral health problems and other health conditions.   Also help consumers develop motivation to engage in attitudes and activities that promote health and wellness. 
• Provide and/or facilitate transportation to appointments, and by accompanying consumers on appointments to reduce consumer apprehension.  In addition to ensuring the participation of the consumer in the service, also ensure better coordination with the provider by accompanying consumers, and resolve other concerns that might interfere with access. 
• Orient SMI consumers to basic principles of primary care management. 
• Consult with SMI consumers and family members to develop and monitor wellness assessments. 
• Assist in care coordination with the project RN/LPN and healthcare home medical providers to ensure access to primary health care. 
• Facilitate/co-facilitate wellness groups 
• Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings. 
• Outreach and engagement with new and existing consumers