Peer Support Worker

Under the direction of the Treatment Program Manager, the Peer Support Worker is responsible for the following areas: clientele relations outside of regular office hours, Step-work group facilitating, direct client contact and administrative co-operation. Detailed descriptions of the work are included under Accountabilities below. This Position Description will form the basis for the employees' annual performance evaluation conducted by the Treatment Program Manager

Clientele Relations

• Monitors the activities of the clients/residents and maintains availability for personal, practical, and moral support
• Ensure that the client becomes acclimatized to his new environment, is aware of all rules and gains confidence in the staff
• Provide client orientation reviewing the New Client Handbook; facilitate training around chores
• Attend in-house 12-step meetings, including Alumni Meeting
• Assist in Afterhours Intake Procedures
• Support Counsellors with follow-up on clients where there is a direct concern about clients mental health and/or well-being e.g. hourly checks, follow-up check-in's, UA
• Provide and facilitate a weekly Step-Work Group to support clients with their step work required in the Treatment Program
• Administer evening medications
• Report any concerning or suspicious behaviour to Treatment Program Management and Primary Counsellor of clients' involved
• Holds clients accountable to the principles of recovery
• Acts as a role model to clients by following their own program of recovery
• Ensure that confidentiality of all information regarding clients is maintained. Have knowledge of the "Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act."
• Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (12-step meetings, SMART Recovery Meetings, Recovery based events)
• Inform and remind clients when there are infractions of the rules and ensure the infractions are reported to the client's counsellor and Treatment Program Manager
• Ensure that clients are aware of the client grievance procedure available to them.

Direct Client Contact

• Ensure that visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. All check-ins are to be documented.
• Must be available for unscheduled meetings with clients.
• Documentation is essential in dealing with clients in the stabilization unit and treatment

Administrative Co-Operation

• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Director of residential Programs, Treatment Program Manager, Treatment Assistant Manager or Clinical Supervisor if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors and Addiction Support Workers by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager or Director of Residential Programs

HOURS: Any day , 2pm - 10pm

• One-year related experience, including experience in the applicable community social services sector
• Must display a high level of stability in their personal recovery from substance use and be knowledgeable of relapse prevention strategies
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Intermediate computer skills, particularly ability to use Outlook-based email, basic Excel, and Word
• Experience working with CAMS or another cloud-based client database is an asset
• Knowledgeable of different recovery models and support services
• Knowledge and experience with 12-step recovery model

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12 or equivalent - e.g., B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) or B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood)
• Further education in a related field would be an asset
• Current certification in First Aid/CPR (or willing to be trained)
• Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or equivalent (or willing to be trained)
• Current certification in Mental Health First Aid (or willing to be trained)
• PeerConnectBC Peer Support Worker Certification (current or willing to be trained)
• Ability to receive and maintain Criminal Record Review Program vulnerable sector clearance

Successful candidates, prior to hiring, may be required to provide:

• Background check consent.
• A clear vulnerable sector screening.
• A clean drivers abstract.
• Completion of our online Armatus Abuse Training and required Health and Safety training.

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal Applicants, please advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.