Peer Support Worker – Urban Health

Job title: Peer Support Worker – Urban Health

Job description: Summary Reporting to the Addiction Medicine Consult Team Liaison Nurse, the Peer Support Worker is a person who self-identifies as a Peer, meaning a person with lived/living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges.. This role works as an embedded team member in the Addiction Medicine Consult Service and works alongside other Peers and Indigenous Wellness Liaisons to provide individual Peer support from lived experience to patients and families accessing services at Providence Health Care. This position acts as a resource for both patients and healthcare providers by providing emotional support and patient advocacy, and promoting health provider relationships that are trauma informed, free of anti-Indigenous racism, and person centered. They will participate in meaningful engagement as Peers for ongoing work in strategic planning, harm reduction, and redevelopment, and support research centres within Providence Health Care Research Institute.

Skills • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the root and past, present and ongoing harms of colonialism experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and the social, historical, jurisdictional, and lived experience of the cultural context.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of substance use disorders, treatment modalities and community resources
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities.
• Knowledge of Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles of cultural safety and humility.
• Knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system and Peer-driven initiatives and interventions, including Indigenized harm reduction initiatives and interventions.
• Ability to reflect on the way their lived or living experiences influence, as it is relevant, to their work.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be solutions-focused, crisis intervention skills, deescalate and resolve conflict.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish/maintain effective working relationships and boundaries with coworkers.
• To work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.
• Ability to practice and respond with humility.
• Ability to problem-solve from a trauma informed, person centered approach.
• Ability to manage time effectively based on workload.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including hardware and software systems, or a willingness to learn these new skills with support from the employer.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Education Lived/living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and/or physical or mental health challenges. Training in Peer Support, completion of a Substance Use Counselling or Social Sciences Certificate or equivalent, plus one (1) years recent related Peer support experience in substance use, mental health, homelessness or health services navigation, cultural safety and practices in Indigenous community services, or related work in a healthcare environment. OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Duties

• Provides day to day Peer support and advocacy from knowledge and lived/living experience to patients and families across acute and primary care services, and will liaise with existing Peers and/or Volunteers already working across PHC sites (e.g., acute care, residential services, mental health) and outpatient clinics (i.e., John Ruedy Clinic and the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic) at Providence Health Care.
• Works as an embedded team member in the Addiction Medicine Consult Team and supports patient referrals to the Indigenous Wellness Liaisons, as well as helps facilitate patient and family access to harm reduction services, the St Paul’s Overdose Prevention Site, traditional cultural practices, All Nations Sacred Space, and as required, access to other community health programs, cultural supports, and harm reduction services.
• Acts as a resource for both patients and health care providers by providing emotional support and advocacy, and supporting referrals to the Addiction Medicine Consult Team to ensure health provider relationships are trauma informed, person and family centered, and embedding principles of harm reduction, cultural safety and humility in the delivery of care services
• Supports Peer initiatives at Providence Health Care by participating in working groups and meetings related to strategic planning, harm reduction, redevelopment and other organizational initiatives.
• Tracks referral and program access data utilizing word processing, email, and spreadsheets, or is willing to learn or develop these skills.
• Attends regularly scheduled Urban Health & Substance Use department meetings and provides informal updates on the Peer Support Program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees of Providence Health Care receive an excellent and comprehensive health , as per their collective agreement or terms and conditions of employment.
*Other benefit packages may apply if this is an affiliate posting.

Click Here to Apply

Source: