Peer Support Specialist

Who we are:

Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years.

During that time, it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges, from information and education to case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing and primary healthcare. These services are provided through inter-professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that, in addition to dealing with client mental health issues, address social determinants of health using the recovery model.

Overview of the Role:

Reporting to the HART Hub Lead, this individual leverages their lived experience with mental health and/or substance abuse recovery to support HART Hub clients facing similar challenges. This includes assisting with welcoming clients to the program and accompanying them during critical moments along their stabilization and recovery journey. This individual also has a role in program delivery in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Location: HART Hub employees may begin work at 60 Bond St. West, and will move to the designated HART Hub location in Oshawa at a later date.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Peer Support

• Provides consultation, appropriately utilizing self-disclosure and sharing of life experience to serve as mentor and role model
• Assists clients to recognize and develop coping mechanisms to deal with symptoms and social stigma
• Supports and assists clients with developing and maintaining their skills to live healthfully in the community and promotes safe and stable living environment ensuring that client's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter are met
• Provides support as needed and approved, to clients who might require assistance with scheduled appointments such as arranging for transportation and accompaniment when appropriate.
• Assists clients in forging peer and family support networks
• Establishes supportive therapeutic relationship with clients and advocates for, and with, client's families
• Provides clients with opportunities for learning through recreation, vocational and concurrent disorder activities

Recovery Planning and Advocacy

• Provides strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help reduce stigma, promote self-determination and instill hope
• Promotes and supports client participation in peer-led recovery-based programming and advocacy organizations to support clients as they are transitioning out of the program
• Facilitates recovery education and support groups (e.g. Wellness Recovery Action Plan) from a recovery and strengths-based perspective, as part of the comprehensive plan established with the multidisciplinary team
• Advocates for development of initiatives supporting persons with lived experience within the community and identifying opportunities for inclusion

Documentation and Communication

• Documents client contacts within predetermined time frame in accordance with CMHA Durham policies and procedures

Team Collaboration and Crisis Support

• Participates as a member of a high performance, multi-disciplinary team working with individuals living with severe and persistent mental health and addictions within a community setting
• Educates staff within the team regarding the consumer perspective on the mental health system and assisting the team to maintain a client-centred approach that maximizes client participation and empowerment
• Attends professional meetings, educational conferences and designated training workshops, as assigned, to maintain up-to-date knowledge and transfer knowledge to staff within the organization

Client Safety

Adhere to CMHA Durham client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Attend, participate in team meetings and all employee meetings
• Participate in organizational quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events
• Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of the position.

Effort:

• Sits at desk, stands and walks daily to perform the duties of the job.
• Concentration, conceptualization and creativity are required daily to attend meetings, teach life skills, engage with clients and caregivers, prepare documents, etc.
• Works on site in office settings and off site in the community in public environments
• Exposure to psychiatric behaviors that may be considered offensive (abusive/irate clients), deadlines, multiple demands, distractions/Interruptions
• Some exposure to hazards (smoke, pets)

Risk Management:

Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of employees and clients

Qualifications:

• Transferable lived experience in mental health and/or addictions is required
• Minimum of two (2) years of stable recovery considered an asset
• Post-secondary education in a relevant field (i.e. human and social services) and/or equivalent combination of education, experience and/or lived/life experiences is required.
• Peer Support certification preferred
• Knowledge the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Employment Standards Act, social service benefits and related legislation in Ontario
• Crisis intervention training is preferred
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team to respond to individuals who may require immediate services/supports
• Ability to engage in participant interactions which negotiate complex boundaries of self-disclosure and appropriate working relationships
• Sound knowledge of recovery and peer support models including trauma informed care approaches
• Ability to apply recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices
• Instructor certification in WRAP preferred
• Ability to work sensitively with people of diverse backgrounds who experience poverty/ discrimination
• Ability to inspire and motivate others
• Ability to develop and maintain a positive relationship with individuals
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills
• Ability to organize and present information
• Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook), as well as the internet
• Ability to participate as a member of a high-performance multi-service team
• Works a variable work schedule, which may include evenings and weekends, as required
• Able to integrate CMHA Durham's philosophy of being a "welcoming organization" into everyday practice.
• General knowledge of the mental health environment in Ontario.
• Ability to adapt to change and navigate through ambiguous situations
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities and cultural practices (preferred).
• Basic to Intermediate fluency in French considered an asset.
• Work outside of normal business hours as required

Working Conditions:

• Works on site in office settings and occasionally off site in the community in public environments
• Exposure to psychiatric behaviors that may be considered offensive (abusive/irate clients), deadlines, multiple demands, distractions/Interruptions
• Some exposure to hazards (smoke, pets)

What we offer:

CMHA Durham is a non-profit community-based organization that believes that mental and physical health care is for everyone regardless of class, race, sexuality, gender, age, faith, or ability. With a flexible working model (within reasonable parameters of the program), memberships to meditation apps, competitive vacation, wellness time and 100% employer paid health benefits, work-life balance is not only encouraged but expected. Our Monday – Friday work week has 35 hours for most position and everyone gets their birthday off with pay.

Read more about us at

CMHA Durham endorses the principles of workforce diversity and does not use AI algorithms or automated decision-making in the recruitment process. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise us if you require any level of accommodation; we are here to help and support you.