Peer Support Worker

Summary

JOB SUMMARY:Reporting to the Peer Support Leader, the Peer Support Worker is a person who self-identifies as a Peer, meaning a person with lived/living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges. This role works alongside other Peers and Indigenous Wellness Liaisons to provide individual Peer support from lived experience to patients and families accessing services at Providence Health Care. This position acts as a resource for both patients and healthcare providers by providing emotional support and patient advocacy, and promoting health provider relationships that are trauma informed, free of anti-Indigenous racism, and person centered. They will participate in meaningful engagement as Peers for ongoing work in strategic planning, harm reduction, and redevelopment, and support research centres within Providence Health Care Research Institute.Inpatient Psychiatric Units - This role will be primarily focused on supporting the inpatient psychiatry units at St. Paul’s Hospital, and provides assessment, treatment and stabilization of adults with acute mental health concerns. Support includes treatment planning, activities, and help with the transition out of hospital.QUALIFICATIONS:Education, Training and ExperienceA level of education, training and experience equivalent to a recognized Certificate in Social Services or as an Addiction Service Worker plus one (1) year recent, related experience. Lived or living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges. Completion of a recognized Peer Support Training program.Skills and AbilitiesKnowledge of principles of peer support practice and ability to apply principles of recovery in mental illness/substance.Knowledge of harm reduction principles and practices.Knowledge of the principles of cultural safety and humility.Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.Ability to deal with others effectively.Ability to organize work.Ability to operate related equipment.Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.Provides day to day Peer support and advocacy from knowledge and lived/living experience to patients and families across acute and primary care services, and will liaise with existing Peers and/or Volunteers already working across PHC sites (e.g., acute care, residential services, mental health) and outpatient clinics (i.e., John Ruedy Clinic and the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic) at Providence Health Care.Working to support patient referrals to the Indigenous Wellness Liaisons, as well as helps facilitate patient and family access to harm reduction services, the St Paul’s Overdose Prevention Site, traditional cultural practices, All Nations Sacred Space, and as required, access to other community health programs, cultural supports, and harm reduction services.Acts as a resource for both patients and health care providers by providing emotional support and advocacy and supporting referrals to the Complex Intervention Response Team to ensure health provider relationships are trauma informed, person and family centered, and embedding principles of harm reduction, cultural safety and humility in the delivery of care services.Supports Peer initiatives at PHC by participating in working groups and meetings related to strategic planning, harm reduction, redevelopment and other organizational initiatives.Tracks referral and program access data utilizing word processing, email, and spreadsheets, or is willing to learn or develop these skills.Attends regularly scheduled meetings and provides informal updates on the Peer Support Program.Performs other related duties as assigned.

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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