Peer Worker

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic is a walk-in clinic for those concerned with their substance use and seeking support. We provide low-barrier, quick access to addiction medicine providers, addiction counsellors and peer workers for individuals looking to explore or make changes to their substance use. Peer Workers are the first point of contact for individuals accessing RAAM and share their own, personal, lived experience with substance use and recovery as a means of providing support and connecting with others experiencing similar challenges.

*** This is a 1 year contract position, from approximately August 15, 2025 to August 15, 2026.**

**This is a part-time position, offering a minimum of 12.5 paid hours per week. Schedule**

**Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (13 Water St N, Cambridge)**

**and Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm (562 Concession Road, Cambridge).**

**Potential option to pick up additional Peer Worker shifts as needed and as available.**

**Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector)**

**required pre-employment.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Greet and welcome participants, build rapport, and create a comfortable and judgement-free atmosphere while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Frontline de-escalation and conflict resolution to support individuals experiencing challenges related to mental health and addiction
- Willingness to share personal journey with addiction and recovery in a common area on an ongoing basis.
- Manage individual caseload (average 6-10 participants), providing individual and system-navigation support. This may involve actively supporting participants with entering other programs.
- Act as a role model for self care and self-awareness
- Use a person-centered approach to provide participants with appropriate information on resources in the community
- Work with/have access to confidential material and maintain compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
- Facilitate completion of urinary drug screening
- Work as part of an interdisciplinary team, supporting the participant process, advocating for participants needs, etc.
- Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activities. Building and maintaining relationships with other programs and organizations within the community.

**Job Specific Knowledge/Skills**:

- Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and marginalized populations
- Strong understanding of interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations to develop rapport with individuals who use substances using a strength-based approach
- Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
- Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
- Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected.
- Commitment to and understanding of the Core Values of Peer Support and the Peer Support Code of Conduct
- Extensive knowledge of community resources, service and support programs/groups, and barriers participants face in accessing them
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

**Education/Experience**:

- Minimum College Diploma or University Degree in related field of study required (i.e. social services, social work, addictions, mental health, community development etc.)
- Peer Support Certification would be considered an asset
- Has had lived experience with substance use and addiction
- Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions required
- Experience with or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
- Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

**Critical Skills**:

- Comfort sharing personal experiences with others to inspire hope
- Ability to manage difficult emotions/triggers prompted by listening to participant’s experiences
- Ability to work effectively in a wide range of settings including interdisciplinary teams, outreach, RAAM Clinics