Peer Support Navigator

**Peer Support Navigator, Niagara Homelessness Emergency Liaison (Niagara HELPS)**

**Part Time, 1-year Contract**

Quest Community Health Centre is a dynamic non-profit, interdisciplinary health care organization. Our holistic model of care focuses on primary care, illness prevention, health promotion, community capacity building and service integration.

Quest CHC delivers healthcare that addresses the underlying social determinants of health, such as poverty, housing, unemployment and food security, all which have a significant impact on health outcomes.

We are committed to providing high quality primary health care and social services to residents throughout the Niagara Region. As such, Quest CHC supports and encourages opportunities for continuous learning and career growth for our team.

The Peer Support Navigator (PSN) at Quest CHC:

- works in hospitals and community settings supporting people in the Niagara region who are experiencing homelessness.
- is a trained individual with expertise derived from their own lived experience of homelessness.
- delivers high quality peer support services to clients of the program.
- provides one-on-one support to clients at various hospitals in the Niagara Region and other community settings.
- Empowers and supports individuals to make health choices based on their own client-generated goals.

**Job Description**:
The Peer Support Navigator (PSN) works in hospitals and community settings supporting people in the Niagara region who are experiencing homelessness. A Peer Support Navigator is a trained individual with expertise derived from their own lived experience of homelessness. A Peer Support Navigator will deliver high quality peer support services to clients of the program. Their role includes providing one-on-one support to clients at various hospitals in the Niagara Region and other community settings, while empowering and supporting individuals to make health choices based on their own client generated goals.

Key Responsibilities:

- Engage, build and maintain relationships with new/existing clients through developing trust and rapport using an evidence-based approach informed by peer support principles.
- Providing support through authentic listening and communication utilizing self-reflection of one’s own direct experiences for the benefit of the person they are supporting, relating to issues such as homelessness, addictions and substance use, physical and mental health, relationships, and their recovery process.
- Act as a resource to, and advocate for, individuals, groups, and the community.
- Act as an advocate for clients by providing assistance in accessing health, social service and related agencies and groups. Encourage community development by assisting individuals, groups and communities to articulate and advocate for health and related services.
- Act as a role model in self-care and self-awareness, and as an advocate for the clients with their consent, while respecting the client’s rights to self determination.
- Support clients in navigating the health and social services systems, and provide peer support services reflective of the diverse needs of the individual.
- Support clients to address problems/issues and help them identify solutions based on their own defined goals/objectives.
- Advocates with, and for, individual’s rights and wishes based on the principles of common human rights, anti-discrimination and harm reduction principles.
- Complete necessary administrative duties and required documentation pertaining to client care, ensuring accurate and timely documentation and collaborate on reports and presentations as required.
- Promote and facilitate education and awareness of peer support and person directed care.
- Act as part of an interdisciplinary team which assists with the development, analysis and implementation of policies and procedures to improve the delivery of primary health care services.
- Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress. Attend advisory committee meetings and other community events.
- Provide input for development of strategic plans and attend and participate in staff meetings and special projects as assigned.
- Conduct presentations, facilitate workshops and group meetings, and participate in program planning and community initiatives.
- Participate in, and comply with, all health and safety processes and initiatives to ensure the organization remains a safe workplace.
- Promote the mission, vision, values and philosophy of care developed by Quest CHC.
- Work within the full scope of practice. Meet organizational quality and quantity of work standards. Comply with applicable medical directives, policies, regulations and legislation identifying any areas of non compliance.
- Maintain and develop professional competence through training or appropriate continuing education.
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