Peer Support Worker

Job Description Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionize education and drive social change. CAMH is more than a hospital, it is a cause. CAMH is on a mission to change the way society thinks about and responds to mental illness. They aim to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and shape a world where mental illness is central to our healthcare system – a world where Mental Health is Health.To view our Land Acknowledgment, please click here.The Child Youth and Emerging Adult Program (CYEAP) is currently seeking a full-time, temporary (1 year) Peer Support Worker to work in its Slaight Centre Early Intervention Service (SCEIS). The SCEIS provides clinic and community-based assessment and treatment for young people, 14 -35 years of age who are experiencing a primary psychotic disorder, often early stage; affective and non-affective primary psychotic disorders. Reporting to the Manager of SCEIS, the successful candidate will be expected to work as a member of a diverse interdisciplinary team to facilitate and support patients with their recovery journey. The SCEIS implements coordinated specialty care (CSC), using the NAVIGATE program plus peer support work. Peer support work partners with each of the interventions that are part of this model to support a young person’s fulsome recovery from their psychotic episode. While in collaboration with patients and the treatment team, the successful candidate will work 1:1 with individuals, utilizing their lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, to support them in the development and achievement of self-determination, personal empowerment, and their individual recovery goals. The successful candidate will work as a coach and liaison, collaborating with patients to advocate for themselves and to learn self-management skills. This role will work directly with patients to support their goal achievement, and reintegration into the community. The Peer Support Worker shares aspects of their lived experience in a manner that is helpful to the patient they are supporting, while demonstrating compassion, understanding and hope and maintaining healthy therapeutic boundaries for themselves and the patient. The successful candidate will also facilitate and coordinate peer driven/recovery oriented groups utilizing the values and principles of peer support/person centred philosophy. Community integration is also a focus of this role, by providing patients with community resources and helping to develop community management skills, as well as challenging stigma and assisting patients overcome stigma and supporting inclusion and understanding. The successful candidate maintains ethical and professional conduct in accordance with Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada and Peer Support Accreditation Certification Canada (effective 2014) in keeping with their respective codes of ethics and practice guidelines. The Peer Support Worker will collaborate with community partners, service providers and other stakeholders to help facilitate connections and referrals to other resources whenever appropriate. The successful candidate will also maintain documentation in accordance with CAMH’s documentation policies and will contribute to program development, continuous quality improvement initiatives, and to the research and educational activities of the service. The successful candidates will have a practical understanding of the recovery model when working with patients and will provide education about recovery and provide the lived experience perspective to staff and students to support effective treatment planning. The successful candidate’s strengths will include an ability to engage patients and their significant others in care planning and treatment decisions on an ongoing basis. This role will support a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork and complies with all applicable and regulatory requirements. This position may require flexibility in work hours, possibly with some evening and weekend hours. This position is located at 1025 Queen Street West. This position may require some traveling in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Minimum Requirements The successful candidate in this role will have lived experience of mental health and/or addictions services, lived experience with a primary psychotic disorder is required. Certification in a Peer Support Training program from a recognized training provider and relevant work experience with demonstrated ability and understanding of core essentials of peer support provision is an asset. Additional relevant education (e.g. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Certificate, Social Service Worker Diploma, Community Support Worker Diploma, Child & Youth Worker Diploma, or other degree/diploma in a related field) is preferred. Knowledge, skills and experience in the principles and practices of psychosocial rehabilitation is an asset, as well as knowledge in psychoeducation, and recovery philosophy, including hope and empowerment.The candidate will possess knowledge and the ability to apply the core values and principles of peer support practice including but not limited to hope and recovery, self-determination, empathetic and mutual relationships, dignity, respect, social inclusion, health and wellness and personal growth. Knowledge and experience in early intervention in psychosis is an asset as well as knowledge of the unique developmental issues of adolescent/transitional aged youth and their families, and working with individuals with substance use issues. The successful candidate has excellent communication and interpersonal skills along with the ability to work collaboratively with patients, families, community agencies and an interdisciplinary treatment team. The candidate will also have an open and non-judgmental approach and an ability to understand and engage effectively with youth. The candidate aligns with the core values of peer support work, has comfort sharing their own experiences with others to inspire hope, has the ability to draw on positive strengths and behaviours of others, and has knowledge/familiarity of the mental health, addiction, and social service systems. The candidate will also have an understanding of the rights of people using healthcare services, specifically in mental health and substance use/addictions and they have a holistic perspective of health and can work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team setting. The Peer Support Worker has skills working 1:1 as well as in group settings with excellent facilitation skills. The candidate is well organized and possesses excellent time management skills and is able to respond to changing priorities, as well as has strong interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational and writing skills, and has the ability to work independently. The Peer Support Worker also possesses the ability to role-model strong self-care and self-management strategies in recognition of the need for health, personal-growth, and resiliency in peer support work. Knowledge and experience with connecting clients to community resources, including: housing, social, financial, educational, vocational, and recreational resources is an asset. Computer literacy and the willingness to learn new computer programs are required; this role will include documentation on the computer and in the electronic medical record. Finally, experience working with patients, staff, and organizations of diverse backgrounds is necessary. Bilingualism (French/English) and/or proficiency in a second language would be an asset.All applicants offered and accepting employment must complete a Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check. The offer of employment will be conditional upon receipt of the satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check.