Peer Support Worker – Links to Employment Program

CMHA Kelowna is hiring a Peer Support Worker. The part-time role is a 0.4 FTE (15 hours per week)

Links to Employment helps job seekers with persistent and multiple barriers reach their goals of obtaining meaningful training, volunteer work, and/or employment. The program provides a full range of support and services that are incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that is delivered through a Primary Care Centre. Employment can be central to an individual’s recovery and growth as employment is a structured, purposeful activity that can enhance self-esteem and a sense of well-being within society. Employment and education are also vital aspects of fostering connection, wellness, and resilience for members of a diverse community.

 WHO IS A PEER SUPPORT WORKER?

The Peer Support Worker draws on their own lived experience of mental illness/overcoming or managing a major hurdle(s) experienced in life the Peer Support Worker helps develop a client centred and low barrier service for people to achieve their stated employment, volunteer or education related goals. The Peer Support Worker will work with clients experiencing multiple barriers who are seeking competitive, paid employment in an integrated community setting. The successful candidate will be a well-organized individual who exhibited initiative, flexibility, sound judgement and good interpersonal skills. Duties include facilitating or co-facilitating a weekly group for active participants in the program, one-to-one (in person) work assisting clients in achieving goal(s), acquiring new skills, or linking with community resources; meeting and working in the community; travel (usually on transit); participation in client goals; and communicating and documenting all relevant information to pertinent staff.

WHAT DOES A PEER SUPPORT WORKER DO?

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive team environment
• Support clients in developing and reaching goals such as:
  • Job searches
  • Interview skills
  • Finding route to job interview location
  • Building confidence
  • Navigating job websites and applications
  • Helping with email and\or job site account set up
  • Assisting with benefit navigation such as income assistance.
  • Other job-related supports as set out by Links team
• Establishes a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual, and clarifying the role of the Peer Support Worker with the client
• In accordance with pre-established Wellness or Vocational plans, assists the client with the development of life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, meeting financial obligations, making and keeping appointments, and interpersonal skills by methods such as demonstrating and modeling appropriate actions
• Assists the client with community integration activities, and escorts clients to a comprehensive range of community services and opportunities
• Shares information with Links team members and partner organizations regarding the experience of individuals with mental illness/substance use
• Collaborates with the client, Links team and partner organizations to support the client to achieve individual goals, needs and situational requirements
• Assists the client towards self-managing all aspects of their life, including their mental illness, substance use and other health conditions by such methods as sharing information and lived experience perspective, practical problem-solving, and linkages with peer supports and advocacy groups
• Participates in program planning, development, evaluation, and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, by attending meetings and providing input
• Prepares and maintains written and computerized records and completes other program documentation, including writing progress notes, completing incident reports and on-call logs
• Conducts information sessions, facilitates workshops and peer learning groups and develops educational materials to meet clients’ needs
• Maintains an awareness of current community resources including health care services, social, economic, recreational, employment, educational services and resources, and other agencies: use the information to assist the client to access services and problem solve with the client as required
• Completes First Aid/CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training, and Suicide Awareness Training or any other training as deemed appropriate by the employer
• Represents the agency in a professional manner
• Attends monthly staff meetings, committee meetings, and others as required
• Other related duties as appropriate and required

YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Lived experience accessing mental health and addictions systems
• Completion of grade 12
• Class 5 BC Driver’s License and reliable vehicle
• Peer Support Training considered an asset OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience
• Worked as a Peer Support Worker within the last 3 years
• Two years recent related work experience with an emphasis on mental illness/substance use
• Thorough knowledge of mental health recovery principles
• Knowledge of community resources and programs
• Demonstrated ability to foster an equitable and inclusive environment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport and appropriate boundaries with clients and their families
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
• Ability to evaluate and resolve problems efficiently and effectively
• Willing to facilitate or co-facilitate groups as needed
• Knowledge and skill in word processing and computer applications;
• Empathic, compassionate, with good listening skills and creative thinking;
• Self-awareness and capacity to apply appropriate boundaries and maintain confidentiality;
• Basic computer skills: experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

• A competitive hourly range of $24.36-28.01
• Vacation Pay & Personal Health Days
• A workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and teamwork

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.