Description
Summary
JOB SUMMARY:Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Virtual Care, the Youth Peer Support Worker works as part of an interprofessional team providing online peer support services to youth and young adults with mental health and substance use issues. Provides a range of non-clinical, peer-based services including individual peer support, facilitating peer-based recovery groups and conducting peer information sessions on topics such as consumer-run services, recovery and wellness planning, strategies for symptom management and community resources. Promotes empowerment, self-determination and independence through peer mentorship, emotional support and relationship/rapport building using recovery-oriented approaches. Supports and assists service users in exploration of skill building, community integration, and the development of natural supports in their community utilizing non-judgmental, strengths-based conversations and person-centered goal setting.
QUALIFICATIONS:EducationCertificate in Community Social Service plus one year's recent, related experience working with youth and young adults with mental health and substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Lived experience with mental illness and/or substance use and recovery, recipient of mental health and substance use services, plus completion of/eligible for completion of a recognized peer support training program.Skills and AbilitiesDemonstrated knowledge of youth mental health and substance use resources and youth community services. Knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities. Knowledge of the principles of recovery and willingness to share their own personal recovery journey. Demonstrated skill in using computers including using technology-based solutions for service delivery, documentation, and viewing screening and assessment data. Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of the peers and consumers. Demonstrated ability to role model therapeutic relationships with marginalized populations and work from an anti-oppressive and trauma informed lens. Ability to develop, organize, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate individual and group activities. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients. Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others. Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish/maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, the public and other agencies. Ability to organize and prioritize. Ability to analyze and resolve problems. Ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. Participates in the provision of services to youth and young adults, using online methods, related to the development and maintenance of life skills; establishes rapport based on respect and promotes self-care; assists in the client's navigation of community-based services and supports their continued progress. This includes brief support, active listening, client-centred and strengths-based approaches to client engagement. Provides support in problem-solving, goal setting, decision-making and in enhancing service users' self-advocacy skills to effectively access community-based supports and services. Supports service users' recovery through the use of motivational and supportive self-disclosure including the sharing of personal recovery experiences and strategies for attaining and maintaining wellness. In consultation and with direction from interdisciplinary team members, arranges and carries out established group services/activities, such as discussion forums, wellness activities groups, client information sessions and support groups. Provides assistance and support for participants through the recovery process. Works with interprofessional team members to meet pre-established goals and objectives and facilitates recovery-based peer support activities. In accordance with a client's co-created care goals and the client's established care plan, assists through supportive coaching with activities designed to meet the needs of clients including activities of daily living, provides support with reducing client's distress, improves/maintains functioning, enables independence and active participation in planned activities. Fosters the development of relationships based on respect with clients, friends and allies by encouraging informed decision-making and helps to create a non-judgmental environment by sharing experiences and insight. Encourages and supports clients to become active and involved in their own and their community's health. Within online interactions with service users, observes and reports unsafe conditions and behavioural, physical, and/or cognitive changes to appropriate clinical personnel. Supports the delivery of online peer support by reviewing, collecting and compiling resources. Provides input to the ongoing development of Foundry Virtual Clinic and documents/materials by contributing information and observations to the planning, proposal development, and delivery process, while acting as a peer-representative and by sharing own consumer knowledge and lived experience of accessing services for mental illness/substance use. Maintains awareness of current community resources including health care services; social, financial, recreational, employment, educational services and resources, and other agencies. Utilizes this information to assist clients to access services and problem solve with the client as required. Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as statistics, progress reports, activity plans, and client activity profiles. Participates in promoting Foundry Virtual Care peer support services by providing information to clients, the public, and healthcare professionals. Advocates for client and program goals. Participates in team meetings, case conferences and organizational initiatives as required; participates in clinical meetings to address individual service user goals and progress when indicated. Participates in evaluation, quality improvement and research activities as required. Performs other related duties as required.
Job Accuracy Posting Flag
The hours of work, including start and stop times, days off, work area and work site may be subject to change consistent with operations requirements and applicable provisions of the Collective Agreement and statutes. **Testing may be required. ***A criminal record check may be required
