Substance use Peer support worker

About this position

Peer Support Worker – Temporary Contract

PSO is a membership-based, peer support organization of present and former psychiatric consumers/survivors who meet: for mutual support, to learn about our rights and ensure they are respected, to find alternatives to traditional psychiatric services, to support our dignity and self-respect, to educate professionals and the public on our needs and concerns, to change how the mental health system treats us by having our experiences and expertise respected in the mental health system and to build a strong consumer/survivor community.

This position focuses on issues of substance use health, behavioural addictions, and mental health.

Position:                      Peer Support Worker

Reporting To:             Recovery Connections Program Manager

Salary and Hours:     $24.00/ hr – 30 hours per week until March 31, 2024. Possibility of renewal depending on funding.

Please submit a covering letter addressing how you meet the listed competencies and resume by 4pm, June 20, 2023 and address it to the attention of the Hiring Committee. No phone calls please.

Job Summary:

This position requires the peer support worker to become familiar with the current harm reduction programming at Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services and to co-create virtual and in-person peer support programming that will complement it. This work will be done in co-operation with current and past users of Rideauwood services.

The peer support worker position acts as a support to participants and graduates of Rideauwood’s substance use health, behavioural addictions and mental health programs, starting with Choices and Change.  The worker will be sited at locations and in programs as defined by the priorities of Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services and PSO.

The worker initially will provide non-clinical one-to-one and group support in addition to sharing expertise derived from having personal experience with moderating their substance use in ways that are safer for them.  The focus of this position will be on using a model of intentional peer support to engage clients, provide support and mentorship through supportive listening, share knowledge on peer support, and empower individuals by sharing information about tools such as WRAP to facilitate a smoother transition as the client accesses and leaves the Choices and Change program. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide non-clinical virtual and/or in-person self-help groups to participants and graduates of Choices and Change. Groups may be co-facilitated with clinical staff or peer-led.
2. Serve as a role model for clients by supporting and promoting recovery within the context of peer support services.
3. Support and empower clients in seeking out information related to their needs.
4. Ensure their activities and actions are consistent with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services’ policies and procedures.
5. Take responsibility for Professional Development and participate in any relevant training and/or information sessions.
6. Work with other Team Members and partner organizations to address emerging issues in community settings.
7. Provide support and expertise to the planning, implementation and facilitation of other groups or activities offered by Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services.
8. Participate in education, evaluation and research activities within the context of family/peer support services.
9. Outreach and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to build awareness of, and promote peer support and family support.

Competencies

1. Experience as a client of substance use health, behavioural addiction and/or mental health services, and a demonstrated ability to share this expertise in the context of empowering others.
2. Background in Substance Use Health, Behavioural Addictions, Mental Health, Advocacy or other Social Service work would be an asset. Life and work experience will be considered, as will a demonstrated commitment to ongoing education.  Training certifications in programs such as WRAP, or a commitment to acquire these certifications, is required.
3. Demonstrated understanding of the principles and value of intentional peer support.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of peer support and family support community resources.
5. Experience in program creation.
6. Experience in group facilitation.
7. Experience using virtual platforms, such as Zoom.
8. Superior communication skills that inspire empowerment and hope.
9. A good grasp of the principles of self-care, empowerment, hope, and self-determination, and an understanding of working from a strengths-based perspective.
10. Ability to work with a diverse group of people within their unique perspectives and experiences.
11. A superior ability to establish trusting relationships with others.
12. Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team.
13. Ability to establish appropriate boundaries in order to provide a non-judgmental, confidential and respectful environment.
14. Bilingual preferred