Peer Support Specialist

**PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST**

**Access to Resources and Community Supports (ARCS)**

**One (1) Bargaining Unit Position, Permanent Full-Time**

**Existing Vacancy**

**Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm**

**Compensation: $22.44**

**About Cota**

If you're looking to contribute your expertise at a community-based organization making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of people each year - Cota would love to hear from you

We provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment that emphasizes employee support, learning opportunities and excellence in our field. We offer flexible hours and employer-paid benefits for some classifications along with other perks and wellness activities.

For 50 years, Cota has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their community. We provide person-centred support to help individuals find inspiration and hope in themselves, so they are better able to pursue meaningful change in their lives.

To find out more about us and our programs/services and employee benefits please visit our website

**Role Overview**

The Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively with the team. The Peer Support Specialist provides recovery-oriented services consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.

**About the Team**

ARCS is a hospital diversion program in partnership with North York General Hospital and Humber River Health. The objective of this program is to reduce emergency department visits, by providing short term, community based case management services to individuals that had recently visited the emergency department for mental health and/or addiction matters.

The ARCS team is interdisciplinary, consisting of Mental Health Case Managers, Addictions Specialist Case Managers, a Peer Support Specialist, and an Intake Case Manager.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Provide recovery oriented support through lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges.
- Work collaboratively with individuals and the team to support recovery and goal plans.
- Teach, coach and provide assertive outreach to individuals.
- Support individuals to live independently in the community as they consider and determine their own unique goals and objectives.
- Provide recovery-oriented and/or harm reduction based services in a manner consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.
- Facilitate various groups: WRAP, social recreational, educational and/or life skills groups.
- Provide informal counselling, emotional support, group support services, linkage with community resources, and instruction in life skills to service recipients.
- Assist and support service recipients with household management, personal care, routine daily living activities, social recreation, employment and vocational goals.
- Provide lived experience to program development and implementation and build collaborative working relationships with members of the multi-disciplinary team and community agencies as applicable.
- Promote independence through teaching, emotional support, coaching, and mentoring.
- Document interactions that meet Cota’s documentation requirements.
- Attends Peer Support Community of Practice (CoP) meetings with other Peer Support Specialists and contributes in a constructive and supportive manner.
- Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties as may be assigned/required.
- Consistent employment OR volunteer work OR training in the past 6-12 months.
- A minimum of High School Diploma.
- Experience providing peer support to people with lived experience.
- Completion of Peer Support training ( asset).
- Completion of Recovery-oriented training such as WRAP, or Pathways to Recovery (asset).
- Personal experience in recovery from a mental health and addiction challenges.
- Experience facilitating groups (asset).
- Able to work in partnership and relate to people with lived mental health and justice experience from a peer perspective.
- Able to problem solve, be flexible and make recommendations to resolve issues.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge and ability to effectively manage personal mental health issues.
- Demonstrate self-awareness of their recovery journey and purposeful self-disclosure.
- Knowledge of peer initiatives, goals and resources.
- Knowledge of Recovery and Psychosocial Rehabilitation as guiding principles.
- Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, the Substitute Decisions Act, and the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPPA (asset).
- Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently.
- Computer efficient (MS Word, E-mail, Internet).
- Strong de-escalation and crisis management skills.
- Ability to engage in participant interactions, which negotiate complex boundaries of self-disclosure and appropriate working relationship.
- Ability to work well in a stress elevated environment.

**Other Requirements and Working Conditions**
- Conduct visits in the service recipient’s homes, hostels