Peer Support Worker

The road to recovery is not straight, and we acknowledge that everyone’s journey is different. We know how hard it is to seek and accept support when you are in a dark place. The Peer Support Worker understands this because they have lived it._

**Job Overview**: The Peer Support Worker works with clients with addiction as well as with mental, physical and social complexities. Reporting to the RAAM Team Lead and working collaboratively within our Primary Healthcare Team, this is a new role that will evolve based on the identified needs of the program. This is a permanent, full-time, position.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Provide individual peer support for people impacted by substance use using a recovery-oriented framework and harm reduction philosophy
- Promote peer support philosophy and empower people through their recovery journey
- Facilitate a variety of groups
- Build relationships with clients to understand community context and reduce barriers that limit access to health and social support
- Respond to crisis and emergency situations
- Participate in coalition building and networking
- Driving clients to community destinations (paused during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Adhere to Peer Support Canada’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice
- Assist with data collection and entry as directed.
- Assist with key paperwork for clients and assist in facilitating relationships with local resources/resource navigation

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- Completion of the CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support course considered a strong asset
- Two years related experience (volunteering or paid), preferably in peer support working with individuals with substance use or mental health concerns
- Lived experience of a substance use concern
- Emergency or Standard First Aid - Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire date, certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire
- A satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance is required
- Class 5 non-GDL driver’s license, a personal vehicle, a clean driver’s abstract, and $2 million liability insurance required
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention and Mental Health First Aid and/or ASIST an asset
- Superior engagement skills
- Base level of computer skills
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- Ability to contribute to a positive work environment and team culture
- High level of initiative and self-motivation
- Flexible and adaptable
- High level of self-awareness
- Determined and committed to excellence
- Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.

**Work Environment and Hours**:

- Location: 2840 2 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2A 7X9
- 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours/week)
- Standard hours 8:30 - 4:30, Monday to Friday,
- Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking (sometimes up or down stairwells)
- Occasional physical action, and requires the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel/crawl, and carry objects (up to 20 lbs.) throughout shift
- Occasional time outside in all weather conditions

**Benefits**:
Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include:

- 3-weeks’ vacation
- Medical and Dental Coverage
- Health / Wellness Spending Accounts
- RRSP and/or Student Loan Repayment Program (up to 5% match)
- Personal Days
- Floating Holiday
- Sick/Wellness Days
- Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
- Professional Development

***About The Alex**: The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs. With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

**Program Overview**: The RAAM clinic model intends to fill a void in the addiction treatment system by providing immediate access to evidence-based addiction care. Services are low-barrier, accessible and patient centred. The strength of this model is the walk-in nature that meets patient needs the same day. This ‘window of opportunity’ is often missed in the addiction treatment system with long waits for appointments and difficult intake procedures. RAAM services include assessment, treatment planning, case management, psycho-social interventions, and pharmacotherapy.

**Driving on behalf of The Alex**:
**How to apply**:
If you are as passionate as we are about making a difference in people’s lives, please visit our career centre: Jobs at The Alex | The Alex.

The Alex is committed to embedding the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity across the organization. We are commit