Peer Support Worker

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community provides a range of residential and community-based treatment services to individuals struggling with addiction and concurrent mental health issues. Our agency is committed to taking the journey together and supporting those with whom we work to grow, thrive, and contribute to society.

**About the Role**:
This role will work with both the Peer-to-Peer Overdose Response Program (P2P) and the Guelph Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Program to deliver support in a manner that is consistent with emerging best practice, and that reflects key principles of the harm-reduction and recovery-oriented approaches to care. Overall, the Peer Support Worker will engage in purposeful and deliberate sharing of their own personal lived experience of addiction/ mental health recovery to facilitate the development of strong, peer support connections with program participants.

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Program is a specialized medical clinic that works with patients of all ages to address health concerns related to substance use. The Peer Support Worker will play a vital role as a member of our multi-disciplinary teams by offering a range of practical and emotional supports from the perspective of their lived experience, and embodying a sense of hope and possibility for the future.

The Peer-to-Peer Overdose Response (P2P) Program provides support to individuals and their friends/families following an accidental overdose. As part of the Regional Peer Led Overdose Response program, the Peer Support Worker brings a unique, non-traditional perspective that offers practical and emotional support and a sense of hope, as individuals and families work through the first several days after an overdose and identify how they want to move forward. In this role, the Peer Support Worker will work with individuals through community agencies, emergency services, and hospital to provide post overdose care, support, education and information in a timely manner. The Peer Support Worker will provide immediate support to the individual and their family/friends following an overdose and for approximately 2 weeks, to support links to community resources.

**Role Type: Full Time Contract (approx. 12 months)**

**Hours of Work: Monday-Friday, days**

**Why Work for Stonehenge?**
- Enhanced vacation offered to all staff
- Paid Wellness Days
- Health and dental benefits (no employee co-pay)
- Personal and professional development opportunities

**Qualifications**:

- Lived experience of opioid addiction and recovery required (mental health recovery an asset)
- Completion of post-secondary education in addictions, social services or related field required
- Minimum of two years’ experience providing support to individuals experiencing addiction / concurrent disorders
- Front line experience providing crisis management, outreach services, and community-based supports
- In depth knowledge and understanding of services available in the Waterloo Wellington and Guelph Wellington Regions
- Valid G Driver’s License (G2 level or greater); Reliable vehicle and willing to transport clients
- Must provide proof from Insurance provider of 1) at least $2 million in general liability and 2) have declared scope of vehicle use to Insurance provider
- Standard First Aid/CPR Level C
- CSC Clearance conducted by PWGS Canada
- Flexible schedule as required to support program delivery; Some evening and weekend work may be required
- Travel throughout Waterloo Wellington Region will be required

**Role Overview**:

- Peer-to-Peer Support (P2P) (3 days per week):_
- Providing support to the individual who has overdosed and/or to their friends/family members
- Providing information and education to the individual who has overdosed and/or their family/friends regarding overdose prevention, harm reduction, recovery/community supports, etc.
- Making referrals, facilitating connections and providing information regarding primary care, addictions, and mental health supports within and beyond Stonehenge Therapeutic Community
- Advocating on behalf of community residents, as appropriate, with other community service providers to enhance access to service
- Providing risk assessment and crisis assessment/intervention as required
- Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Program Support (2 days per week):_
- Providing Peer Support for the patients of the RAAM in Guelph
- Providing supportive engagement when clients arrive and are waiting at the clinic and/or throughout the consultation process, as required
- Working closely with the multi-disciplinary team to support effective clinic flow
- General Responsibilities_
- Participating in program reporting and development activities as required including program evaluation, data collection and input, process improvement, etc.
- Contributing to ongoing program and peer role development work

Applications will be accepted until **June 2 at 4pm.**

We look forward to meeting you
- St