Peer Support Specialist

Position: 0.5 FTE Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville NS

Who we are:
Peer Support Nova Scotia is a one-to-one peer support program, administered by Mental Health Innovations Inc. (N.S.), that provides non-judgmental emotional and social supports to persons receiving mental health and/or substance use care through Nova Scotia Health. Join our province-wide team of dedicated peer supporters, that utilize strength-based and recovery-oriented approaches, supporting peers at Acute Care units, in select clinics or while facilitating peer support groups.

The Peer Support Specialist Position:
This peer support position works primarily onsite at Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. The peer supporter will also meet with peers in their home communities once discharged from the hospital. The peer supporter will utilize their lived experience to support and connect with peers receiving services and support peers’ transition to community-based peer support.

The position is dual tasked:

- Work directly as a Peer Supporter; and
- Develop relationships with community-based organizations.

The peer supporter must be regularly available for work Monday through Friday as well as be available, as a condition of employment, for occasional scheduled and unscheduled weekends and evenings. Access to daily use of a reliable vehicle, is required, as use of public transportation will not meet the requirements of this position as the peer supporter will be required to travel to areas not serviced by public transportation. Proof of full COVID 19 vaccinations is required.

**Key Accountabilities**:
**Peer Support Services to peers/clients receiving inpatient/outpatient care.**
- Work one-on-one with individuals to support them in the development and achievement of self-determination, personal empowerment, and their individual recovery goals.
- Provide peer support in a manner that respects diversity, and the unique social, cultural, and geographic norms that may be represented.

**Peer Support during transition to community/home with a focus on coordinating a connection with community-based peer support services.**

As a peer progresses towards community life, meet in their home community to discuss opportunities to develop a peer support relationship and foster continued recovery.
- Encourage exploring, and support coordinating, a connection with, community-based support services that honors both the organization’s process and the peer’s right to be empowered to make their own decisions.

**Develop a working relationship with community-based organizations.**
- Gain current knowledge of services offered and be better prepared to support the matching of peers with community mental health and/or substance use support services

**Other Duties**:

- Maintain up-to-date and clear record keeping and communication. Use strength-based, recovery supporting language in all notes and communications.
- Complete general administrative requirements in a timely manner and as requested.  These admin requirements may be related to data gathering, recording of indicators, and/or other general organizational requirements.
- Manage day-to-day schedule.
- Attend and participate in meetings and conference calls, as required

**Education and Knowledge**
- **Experience**:  Personal lived experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges as a youth; Have been in a positive state of recovery for an extended period of time; two years’ experience as a peer supporter as well as strong experience forming cooperative relationships with clinicians, community organizations, and other stakeholders.  Willingness to share this lived experience with peers/clients and other relevant parties, as appropriate.
- **Education**:  Grade 12 minimum
- **Skills and Abilities**: Demonstrated values of hope and recovery, self-determination, empathy, dignity, respect, social inclusion, health and wellness, resiliency and personal growth; ability to role-model hopefulness, self-care, and self-management; ability to effectively interact with people using a variety of virtual tools; good coaching/mentoring skills; ability to effectively negotiate complex boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a variety of stakeholders; strong sense of self-awareness; ability to self-manage and work independently with long-distance supervision; solid problem solving and critical thinking skills;  demonstrated time management skills; ability to remain confidential; and, an aptitude for continuous learning and development.

**Application Process**:

- **Cover letters required** and need to clearly outline how you meet the requirements and to which position you are applying.
- Applications are first screened and assessed for suitability and requirements.

**Equity**:
**Deadline**: Until Filled

**Job Type**: part-time, day-time

17.5 hr/week

**Salary**: $22.50- $26.68

**Schedule**:
Monday to Fr