Peer Outreach Worker (Term)

TITLE:  Peer Outreach Worker

LOCATION: 75 Martha St.

DEPARTMENT: Van Community Outreach  

FTE: 1.0 Days Term (Ending Feb 15 2024)

Hours of Work: Days (7:30-16:00)

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Outreach Services

Starting Wage: $19.64

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POSITION SUMMARY

Peer support takes place when an individual providing the help has a similar lived experience. The Peer is an integral member of the Main Street Project (MSP) team. Drawing on their lived experience of mental health challenges and/or substance use, the Peers assists others to gain a sense of confidence and hope on their journey.  

The role of the Peer is defined as offering and receiving help, based on an understanding, of respect between people in similar situations. MSP Peers, work in different capacities, from Outreach Workers, Navigators, and other areas within MSP. All roles acknowledge mutual respect, and understanding of similar experience will engage community member n making an informed decision, to promote a sense of safety and well-being for the community. 

The Peer Outreach Worker is a role within Main Street Project that focuses on building relationships and rapport with the community member living unsheltered in Winnipeg. This includes understanding the community needs, what services they require, and identity challenges along the way. The Peer Outreach Worker supports the development and implementation of care plans. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure that client immediate needs are met through the provision of food, shelter, clothing, harm reduction, and personal hygiene supplies as needed.
• Support clients by assessing their behavior, overall well-being, and safety.
• Provide the community outreach team with any information that may help in the care plan.   
• Complete need assessments, referrals, and consent forms to engage in case management service. 
• Meet with clients in the community and/or in their homes, when required.
• Responded to services requests from first responders, business owners, and community members, City of Winnipeg, Community Agency or as directed by the manager.  
• Work with individuals who may be intoxicated, experiencing significant trauma, mental health, poor hygiene, suicidal, or at risk to others.
• Monitor the physical safety of clients to ensure the client receives medical attention for physical injuries, either through on-site basic First Aid, transportation to the hospital, or request for a non-emergency ambulance (depending on severity).
• Operate MSP's outreach van
• Monitor, locate, and identity, individuals that may need support in accessing services.
• Visit new encampment structures, or areas being used as shelter, and provide an update to the team, and program manager. 
• Participate in daily debriefs, and provide follow-up instructions for next shift.
• Maintain accurate and confidential electronic and file records, including statistical data.
• Submit agency-required statistics on time and with accuracy.
• Adhere to the MSP policies and procedure manual.
• Attend all mandatory meetings and training sessions as designated.
• Others duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to effectively interact with diverse populations including clients, staff and volunteers.
• Understands the systemic issues that affect low income and marginalized people.
• Ability to effectively communicate to resolve problems and manage conflicts effectively.
• A Criminal Record and Adult Abuse Check is required, 
• Valid Class 5 Driver's License
• Prior experience with statistics and reporting
• Basic computer proficiency.

SKILLS & SPECIFICATIONS:

• First-hand understanding of issues related to mental health, substance use and/or being unhoused.
• Familiarity with mental health and addiction services both internal and external to MSP.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and with other health care providers on clinical settings.
• Good verbal and written\communication skills.
• Ability to work with a client-centered care philosophy
• Ability to apply Harm Reduction and Housing First philosophies in their day-to-day support of clients
• Knowledge of the effects of poverty and the social determinants of health is essential
• Knowledge of Indigenous Culture
• Additional languages (Indigenous) are considered an asset 
• Experience working with Indigenous organization and/or communities an asset 
• Ability to maintain required work schedule, be on time, keep work area neat, be accountable for how time is used.
• Ability to use sound judgement regarding confidentiality issues.
• Ability to advocate for clients by bringing concerns about services to the Manager of Outreach Services

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