Casual Telephone Peer Support Specialist

**Job description**

Are you an empathetic, caring person, living in Nova Scotia, who is looking for an opportunity to use your own experiences with mental health and/or substance use challenges to support others and are in a positive state of wellness? The Nova Scotia Peer Support Phone Service is looking to recruit additional CASUAL Telephone Peer Support Specialists to round out our team. We are offering free peer support training to qualified applicants. Once training is complete, there will be an interview and selection process to hire for CASUAL positions.

The Nova Scotia Peer Support Phone Service, administered by Mental Health Innovations (N.S) Inc., provides non-judgmental emotional and social support to people who call our toll-free, non-crisis, provincial telephone service. This service is staffed by trained and experienced peer supporters. It is available to individuals (18+), families or other concerned partners.

Position Overview

This casual peer support position works remotely in the province of Nova Scotia. The Peer Supporter will utilize their own lived experience to support and connect with peers who call the Peer Support Telephone Service.

Key Accountabilities

PEER SUPPORT
- Provide peer support in a manner that aligns with Peer Support Canada’s Standards of Practice.
- Work one-on-one with individuals to support them in the development of self-determination, personal empowerment, and their individual recovery goals.
- Provide support in a manner that is consistent with recovery philosophy, which emphasizes peer and natural support, and the de-escalation of distress.
- Provide peer support in a manner that respects diversity, with adherence to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, and the unique social, cultural, and geographic norms that may be represented.
- Be available to offer non-clinical, hopeful, and empathetic support to callers.

OTHER DUTIES
- Maintain up-to-date and clear record keeping and communications as required.
- Use strength-based, recovery supporting language in all notes and communications.
- Complete general administrative requirements in a timely manner and as requested. These admin requirements may be related to data gathering, recording of indicators, and/or other general organizational requirements.
- Participate in ensuring all Occupational Health and Safety procedures are followed, maintained and report immediately any concerns.
- Manage availability schedule.
- Attend and participate in meetings and conference calls, as required.
- Complete other administrative activities as required.

**Requirements**:

- Grade 12 minimum
- Personal or family-based lived experience with mental health challenges and/or addiction and the mental health system is required and being in a positive state of recovery.
- Work is completed from a private and secure home-based location.
- Prior experience as a peer supporter will be considered an asset.
- Previous call centre or warmline experience will be considered an asset.
- ASIST will be considered an asset.
- Peer Support Canada Certification will be considered an asset.
- Internet connection (at least 30mbps download) calls are managed through a cloud-based system
- The ability to hardwire into your router or modem to ensure call stability and avoid connection over wi-fi.

Key Skills

Demonstrated values of hope and recovery, self-determination, empathy, dignity, respect, social inclusion, health and wellness, resiliency and personal growth; ability to role-model hopefulness, self-care, and self-management; ability to effectively negotiate complex boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work with diverse individuals; strong sense of self-awareness; ability to self-manage and work independently with long-distance supervision; solid problem solving and critical thinking skills; demonstrated time management skills; ability to remain confidential; solid technology skills and, an aptitude for continuous learning and development.

Professional / Technical Knowledge

Training

All peer supporters complete extensive training prior to providing peer support:

- 24 hours of peer support training
- 3 hours of specialized telephone service peer support training

Application Process:

- Applications are first screened and assessed for suitability and requirements.

Application Deadline: Jan 6th

Equity:
**Job Type**: Casual

**Salary**: $19.61 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Work from home

Schedule:

- 3-to-7-hour shifts
- Evening and weekend availability

Application question(s):

- Do you have personal lived experience with mental health and or substance use challenges?
- Do you reside in Nova Scotia?

**Experience**:

- Call center: 1 year (preferred)
- Peer Support: 1 year (preferred)

Application deadline: Jan. 6th

Expected start date: recruitment to follow free Peer Support Training that commences Feb. 14th

**Job Type**: Casual

**Salary**: $19.61 per hour

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Evening shift

Application ques