Part-Time Peer Support Worker

Position: Part-time Peer Support Worker

Bargaining Status: C.U.P.E. Local 4891

Hours of Work: Three days per week including weekends, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm with some flexibility required based on clients need

Program: Peer Program (Location: Various sites)

Reports To: Peer and Employment Program Manager

Salary: $22.38 per hour (plus 4% vacation pay)

Start Date: As soon as possible

About CommunitiCare Health

We are a community health care agency that provides a full range of community health care and support services, making us a distinctive agency in Toronto offering a blend of community support services, community mental health and addictions services, supportive housing, inter-professional primary care and home care services. We are community governed.  We continually look for ways to serve our clients and our community better and to provide enhanced access to equitable care.

Position Statement

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and facilitating the member's unique wellness and recovery goals through group activities as well as engaging members on a one-on-one basis. The Peer Support Worker will utilize their lived experience within the Mental Health Community to help assist, encourage, and mentor the client members through their own personal journey of recovery. The purpose of this role is to embark on a mutual learning experience with the members we serve, rather than assuming the role of a counselor or therapist. The Peer Support Worker will be consistent with the philosophies of the agency and peer program and showcase excellence in the delivery of peer support competencies; complimented with compassionate and client-centred forms of engagement. The successful candidate will be part of the Peer Support Team and work closely with the staff team at each site.

Specific Responsibilities

• Engage and build relationships with the members
• Empower members to advocate on behalf of themselves
• Assist members in accessing local community-based resources
• Provide resources and information which would support recovery
• Facilitate social recreation activities and outings
• Develop and implement a variety of group-based activities which aid in the recovery process and build skills to live independently.
• Provide a consumer-survivor perspective to program development and implementation
• Help to build and develop a sense of community within the housing program.
• Documentation of client-member interactions in accordance with RCS policies, procedures and protocol.
• Participate in program-specific circle of care meetings/conferences when required.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience personally or as a supporter in the mental health community. Only applications from persons who are mental health survivors or supporters will be considered for this position.
• Experience providing peer support through volunteer or paid work experience.
• Completion of peer support worker training including training in recovery principals (WRAP or Pathways to Recovery). Participation in or the completion of the PREFER program is a definite asset.
• Knowledge of available community resources in the city of Toronto and resources that would support the recovery process.
• Familiarity with the TTC system.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Advanced problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience working with individuals with diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness to share lived experience in a relevant and appropriate way, maintaining peer/client-member boundaries as necessary.
• Competent computer skills (MS Word, E-mail, and Internet).
• Crisis intervention skills are an asset.
• Group facilitation skills and experience working with groups.
• Must possess a level of comfort and sensitivity in working with individuals with severe mental health issues.
• We welcome applicants to share past employment experience on their resume that will allow for the transfer of knowledge and skills that can benefit them in this role.
• Personal characteristics of flexibility, resourcefulness, creativity, commitment and empathy will further support your success in this position.
• Sound judgement and decision-making, time management, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with the public transit system.
• First Aid and/or CPR certification an asset.

Additional Requirements & Information

This job posting is intended to reflect the general duties of the position and suggest the general level of skill and complexity. There may be additional duties related to specific CommunitiCare Health sites and programs that will be outlined by the successful candidate's supervisor.

Given the unique nature of our work environment and the complex individuals we serve, all CommunitiCare Health employees are expected to comply with all CommunitiCare Health policies and procedures, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1.

Note to External Applicants

We thank all the applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

As part of our hiring practices, we encourage and particularly welcome resumes from

traditionally marginalized communities. This includes, but is not limited to consumer/survivors, i, pewith disabilities, and members of the community.

If you have any requirements for accommodation due to disability, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment and selection process. We will work with you to best

meet your needs as per resources available to us.

CommunitiCare Health is scent-free environment.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $22.38 per hour

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience providing peer support through volunteer or paid work?
• This position requires the successful candidate to have personal lived experience with mental health and/or addictions. Without going into details, do you meet this essential requirement?

Work Location: In person