Peer Support Worker

**Métis Nation British Columbia**:
**Peer Support Worker**:
**#23-001**
**MINISTRY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION**

**Position**:Permanent Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
**Location**:Regional, Remote or HQ Hybrid
**Closes**:Posting will remain open until filled and will close without notice

**ABOUT MÉTIS NATION BRITISH COLUMBIA**
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) develops and enhances opportunities for our Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services. Through teamwork, respect, dedication, accountability, integrity, and professionalism, MNBC strives to build a proud, self
- governing, sustainable Nation in recognition of inherent rights for our Métis citizens, assisting in the delivery of services based on policy, process, and specified regulations.

MNBC’s **_Employer of Choice Initiatives _**offers employees a competitive total compensation package including:

- comprehensive group benefit package or health-care spending account and enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan
- 15 paid days per year for statutory and cultural days (Indigenous Peoples Day, Truth and Reconciliation Day, & Louis Riel Day)
- carpool, parking & public transit subsidies (Provincial Office only)
- educational spending account and professional development allowances to provide annual funding to continue lifelong learning and skills upgrade.
- remote workplace supports.
- internal advancement & redeployment opportunities

**ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY**:
We are seeking a highly motivated, team-orientated individual to join our Ministry of Mental Health and Harm Reduction team as the **Peer Support Worker.**

Reporting to the PROJECT LEAD-SUBSTANCE USE ADDICTIONS PROGRAM, the primary purpose of the Peer Support Worker will be to work with the SUAP TEAM to support the delivery and reporting of mental health and wellness initiatives and programs for Métis communities in BC.

**Detailed Overview**: In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of Metis Nation of BC, the **Peer Support Worker **(PSW) shares their own consumer knowledge and lived and/or living experience of substance use and mental health to assist clients of the assigned substance use service in their identified goals. The PSW identifies themselves as a peer and collaborates with the client and the assigned team to meet individual needs and situational requirements by providing information from a lived experience perspective in order to assist clients to obtain services from other Fraser Health staff, external service providers and community resources more effectively. Provides clients living with substance use/mental illness with emotional and social support, life skills assistance, information, and resources. The PSW works collaboratively with the rest of the SUAP Team to ensure the client's self-identified goals for safety, recovery and community connection are supported by appropriate services and practices and are consistent with the values of self-determination /choice and harm reduction. Provides services in a variety of environments dependent on the needs of the client.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Establishes a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual, and clarifying the role of the Peer Support Worker in relation to the client.
- In accordance with a client's co-created care plans, provides information to clients regarding empowerment, self-help education, practical information, resources, life skills, and demonstrations.
- Assists clients with community integration activities, and accompanies clients to a range of community services, and appointments.
- Supports an effective connection between community service providers and assigned clients, family members and significant or concerned others involved in the client's recovery plan.
- Shares information with appropriate MNBC staff regarding the experience of individuals with mental health conditions and/or substance use experiences.
- Supports the client to meet individual needs, goals, and situational requirements by assisting in the client's navigation through systems such as health care, government and/or housing services, and supporting their continued progress.
- Assists the client towards self-managing all aspects of their life, including mental illness, substance use and other health conditions by such methods as sharing information and lived experience perspective, practical problem-solving, and linkages with peer supports and consumer advocacy groups.
- Participates in program planning, development, evaluation, and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, by attending meetings and providing input.
- Prepares and maintains written and computerized records and completes other program documentation, including writing progress notes, completing incident reports, and ensuring referral forms are completed and sent to appropriat