Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Peer Support Worker is a member of the interdisciplinary team, reporting to and working under the general supervision of a Clinical Operations Manager. Utilizes lived experience of mental health and/or substance use to support people in treatment and transition back into their home community. As a member of the Heartwood team, this position works alongside different health care providers, brings their knowledge based on lived experience, to provide practical peer-based support services to people transitioning out of Heartwood and navigating recovery. The Peer Support Worker role focuses on supporting people who struggle with mental health and/or substance use challenges in the transition to the community using a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and peer-to-peer approach.

Assists with the facilitation of group and one-to-one peer support meetings as needed, participates in information sessions, develops relationships based on respect, and assists clients and their support network with locating various resources, e.g. appropriate health services, social and legal services and consumer led- resources etc. Provides advocacy, maintains records, and reports such as client contacts, participates in committees, task groups, and/or program initiatives as requested, and provides feedback on service development from a peer perspective and quality improvement activities. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements and immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying the Manager or other appropriate personnel.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Provides peer-based one-on-one support and guidance to clients throughout their stay at Heartwood, with the aim of supporting skills-building, empowerment, and community reintegration. This includes brief support, active listening, client-centered and strengths-based approaches to client engagement.

2.    Assists with facilitating group and one-to-one meetings. Provides health, social, and resource information to clients, such as harm reduction information to reduce risk of overdose. Consults with and brings concerns to the attention of the designated Supervisor. Attends and supports the facilitation of information sessions.

3.    Develops respectful relationships with clients and their support networks (i.e. families, friends, and allies). Helps clients and their support networks to make informed decisions. Creates a non-judgmental environment by sharing own experiences and insights. Encourages and supports clients to become active and involved in their own health.

4.    Assists clients and their support networks with finding appropriate health, social services and other resources as required, such as physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, housing, employment, financial assistance, advocacy, and support groups. Provides information on service providers; maintains up-to-date resource lists of community-based services providers; contacts relevant organizations/businesses/services; and provides information on how to attain services and assistance with accessing services.

5.    Provides advocacy to clients 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 the designated Program; 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.

6.    Actively participates in on-going service development and quality improvement by attending meetings, engaging in team discussions, and providing input to goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration.

7.    Supports the development and distribution of resource materials for clients, such as brochures, flyers, and web-based information, from a lived experience perspective by providing verbal and written feedback, utilizing word-processing software, printing documentation when requested, and sharing resources.

8.    Completes and maintains records and reports by compiling and distributing information, entering information into a database, filling out applications and forms, and recording information related to client contacts.

9.    Engages in and assists the Manager with on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration by attending meetings and in-services, reviewing policies and procedures, providing input/recommendations to Manager and/or other team members regarding efficiency of processes/procedures relating to work duties with a view to ensuring streamlined, effective and client/family centered practices.

10.    Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying Manager or other appropriate personnel.

11.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    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 incarceration, substance use challenges, mental health needs, and/or accessing support and treatment services.

Skills and Abilities

•    Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•    Ability to deal with others effectively.
•    Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
•    Ability to organize work.
•    Ability to operate related equipment.
•    Knowledge of principles in mental illness.
•    Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
•    Knowledge of peer-run programs.
•    Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, and advocacy.

If you would like support with your application process, feel free to reach out to Laurie Edmundson, Senior Leader with Patient Experience and Community Engagement at laurie.edmundson@phsa.ca.