Peer Support Worker, Red Fish Healing Centre - BC Mental Health and Substance Use Coquitlam, BC
Peer Support Worker, Red Fish Healing Centre
BC Mental Health and Substance Use
Coquitlam, BC
What is Red Fish Healing Centre
θəqiʔ ɫəwʔənəq leləm’ (the Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, or Red Fish Healing Centre) is a 105-bed facility that treats individuals from across the province who live with the most severe concurrent and complex mental health and substance use disorders. Clients admitted to the Red Fish Healing Centre have both a mental illness and a substance use disorder; many clients also have other chronic health problems. Clients may be admitted voluntarily, or involuntarily under BC’s Mental Health Act.
Provide individual peer support counselling and harm reduction information. Facilitate group and one-to-one peer support meetings based on individual client needs and provides peer-based support and guidance to clients to assist in skill building, empowerment, and community integration.
Assist with facilitating group and one-to-one meetings. Provide health, social, and resource information to clients, such as harm reduction information to reduce risk of overdose. Consult with and brings concerns to the attention of the designated Supervisor. Attend and support the facilitation of information sessions.
Develop relationships based on respect with clients and their family, friends, and allies by encouraging informed decision making and helps to create a non-judgmental environment by sharing experiences and insight. Encourage and support clients to become active and involved in their own health.
Assist clients and their support network with locating appropriate health, social and legal services and resources as required, such as physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, surgeons, housing, employment and financial assistance, advocacy and support groups, by methods such as providing information on how to choose a service provider, maintaining electronic and paper based up-to-date referral information, creating linkages to other community resources and programs, contacting relevant organizations/businesses/services, and providing information on procedures to attain services and assistance with accessing services.
Provide advocacy to clients by performing duties such as speaking on their behalf in a variety of settings, providing information regarding rights to services to the client and their family members, partners, friends, and other loved ones; attending meetings and workshops to represent Red Fish Healing Centre; assisting clients in completing forms and letters concerning barriers to services; notifying designated Supervisor of systemic advocacy issues; and receiving/documenting complaints or ideas for improved service and ensuring action steps are taken with issues raised.
Participate in committees, community, and task groups, and/or program initiatives by methods such as providing representation and input from a peer perspective, presenting relevant material, acting as advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for clients and their families to improve access, integration and coordination of mental health and addiction services. Attend interdisciplinary rounds as required.
What you bring
Qualifications
A combination of education, training, and experience is required, such as completion of a recognized Social Services Worker certificate program, relevant professional experience, or lived experience. Lived experience may include substance use challenges, mental health needs, and/or accessing support and treatment services.
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
Core Competencies
Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge of principles of recovery in mental illness.
Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
Knowledge of peer-run programs.
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of the peers and consumers.
Ability to communicate effectively/tactfully both verbally and in writing.
Ability to organize and prioritize.
Ability to work under the pressure of interruptions and adapt to changes.
Ability to problem solve and take initiative.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, and advocacy.
Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**
BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
The internal job posting expires on January 28, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.
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If you have any questions about the management of your personal information during the recruitment process, please contact the Manager, Talent Acquisition at 604-875-7251, toll free 1-866-744-7363 or #260 – 1770 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V6J 4Y6. You may also contact External Recruitment at careers@phsa.ca.
