Peer Support Worker, Community Transition Team - BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Peer Support Worker, Correction Health Services Patient Care Unit

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Coquitlam, BC

What you’ll do

• Provide non-clinical, one-on-one, peer-based support and guidance to clients before, during, and after they are released to the community, with the aim of supporting skills-building, empowerment and community reintegration. This includes brief support (1-3 months after release), active listening, client-centered and strengths-based approaches to client engagement.
• Assist with facilitating group and one-to-one meetings. Provide health, social, and resource information to clients, such as harm reduction information to reduce risk of overdose. Attend and support the facilitation of information sessions.
• Develop respectful relationships with clients and their support networks (i.e. families, friends and allies). Help clients and their support networks to make informed decisions. Create a non-judgmental environment by sharing own experiences and insights. Encourage and support clients to become active and involved in their own health.
• Assist clients and their support networks with finding appropriate health, social services and other resources as required, such as physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, housing, employment, financial assistance, advocacy and support groups. Provide information on service providers; maintain up-to-date resource lists of community-based services providers; contact relevant organizations/businesses/services; and provide information on how to attain services and assistance with accessing services.
• Provide advocacy and practical services to clients by performing duties such as informing clients and their support networks of their rights to services, assisting clients in completing forms and letters (i.e. income assistance, disability assistance, housing), notifying designated supervisor of systemic advocacy issues, and receiving/documenting complaints and ideas for improved service.
• Actively participate in on-going service development and quality improvement by attending meetings, engaging in team discussions, and providing input to goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration.
• Support the development and distribution of resource materials for clients, such as brochures, flyers, and web-based information, from a lived experience perspective by providing verbal and written feedback, utilizing word-processing software, printing documentation when requested, and sharing resources.
• Complete and maintain records and reports by compiling and distributing information, entering information into a database, filling out applications and forms, and recording information related to client contacts.
• Participate in committees, community and task groups, interdisciplinary rounds, and CTT initiatives by providing input from a peer perspective to promote optimal support for clients and advocating for the goals and objectives of the CTT program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized Social Services Worker certificate program or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Lived experience with incarceration, substance use issues and/or mental health needs, and accessing support/treatment services.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $29.83/hour.
Location: 70 Colony Farm Rd, Coquitlam BC, V3C 5X9
Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 0800-1600

Requisition # 166740E

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date ofJune6^th, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.