Peer Specialist - Early Psychosis Intervention/LYNX

The Early Psychosis Intervention (E.P.I.) program delivers public education, assessment, and treatment services for individuals experiencing the early stages of psychosis, and their families. In the context of mental health, peer support is a beneficially supportive relationship between people who have a lived experience in common. While each person’s situation and path towards recovery is unique, the Peer Specialist can provide emotional, social, and practical support for some of the shared challenges that persons with mental health conditions experience. Hope is the starting point from which a journey of recovery begins, and Peer Specialists can inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of recovery. In addition to the provision of peer support to Lynx clients, the Peer Specialist position also provides the worker with a vocational recovery opportunity.

The Peer Specialist focusses on the quality of life of young people experiencing early psychosis and considers an individual’s wellness from a holistic point of view that includes relationships, involvement in their community, general wellbeing, and their sense of empowerment. Peer Specialists provide mental health support delivered through evidenced-based practice approaches.

Location: Kawartha Lakes & Haliburton County
Status: Full-Time Temporary (12 months)

Posting# PS-EPI-KL-FTT-10-25
Wage: $29.39 to $30.74 per hour  
Application Deadline:  Open Until Filled

Key Responsibilities

Provide individualized psychosocial interventions to Lynx EPI clients

Participate in the provision of family education/ intervention supports and programming

Provide support to clients with job search/employment skills development

Assist clients in accessing education upgrading and skills development

 Provide community and residential group instruction and independent living skills programing to clients

An effort is made to match the Peer Specialist’s skills and experience with various client needs and peer support opportunities.  As a result, a Peer Specialist may be involved in any combination of the following duties (and these can change over time, as skills and interests develop):

Social recreation

Public education

Group facilitation

One-to-one peer supports

Alumni coordination

1. Client Supports

Assist clients in the development of empowerment in the recovery process, through self-directed recovery choices

Provide clients with a sense of validation of their own lived experience and the experiences of others

Assist clients in their efforts to be active in the areas of socialization, recreation, education and vocation

Assist clients in their efforts to understand their mental health condition and the process of recovery

Assist clients in their efforts to maintain, regain or establish an active and enjoyable life-style

Assist clients in their efforts to have positive relationships with friends, family and/or colleagues

Assist clients in their efforts to prevent relapse or crises, and to respond appropriately if these do occur

Participate in communication and planning for inter-professional treatment team work

Participate in the development and delivery of group programming, as required 

2. Documentation

Accurate and timely completion of all administrative documentation including time sheets, expense claims, and training requests

Timely completion of client data entry/progress notes, as required 

3. Other Activities

Organize, deliver and evaluate presentations, workshops, public forums and special events, where required such as: “Open Your Mind” for Public Education and Professional Training purposes

Coordinate alumni activities including maintaining regular contact, establishing regular meetings and events, by upholding strong social connections with each other

Ensure that all activities fall within program budget requirements, in collaboration with the Program Manager

Contribute to the overall ongoing development of Lynx E.P.I. program

Consultation regarding Lynx clients with members of the Lynx E.P.I. team 

4. Performance Management and Professional Development

Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system

Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures

Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training

Actively engage and participate in supervisory process 

5. Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities

 Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students

 6. Client Safety

Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures.  In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety.  Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

7. Other Duties as Assigned

Attend participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required

Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, committee work, special events, etc.

Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level

Participate in external committees as required

Duties may change from time to time

Requirements of the Position:

A. Education and Training

Successful completion of post-secondary education (diploma or degree) in the social/health science disciplines is preferred. Consideration may be given to applicants with equivalent mental health related skills and experience.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position:

Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following):

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (W.H.M.I.S. 2015)

Infection, Prevention & Control

Workplace Violence

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)

Verbal Intervention Training

Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)

First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.)

Ontario Common Assessment of Need (O.C.N.)

Assets with regard to this position:

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P.) Level 2 Certification

 Formal training or education in: Motivational Interviewing, C.B.T informed, D.B.T. informed, Solution Focused Therapy informed, Trauma informed, Concurrent Disorders

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

Two (2) years with recovery oriented lived experience plus one (1) year on the job experience

Lived experience and knowledge about recovery from psychosis or other mental health conditions

Personal knowledge of the mental health system, and the ability to share this knowledge with others

Positive energy and enthusiasm for engaging and motivating young people living with mental illness

Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Outlook, M.S. Office databases), as required

C. Competencies
Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix

D. Other

Valid driver’s license is required.

Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy.

Satisfactory police records search

Satisfactory references

 Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French is an asset

Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction,

Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine

Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required.

Requirement to have reliable home internet service and the technology to complete work from a remote location, for example computer/laptop, telephone, etc. 

Working Conditions:

Works primarily in office or community setting when providing client support in one-to-one or group format

Works directly with individuals living with serious mental illness or who are experiencing symptoms of early psychosis

Works primarily in community agencies and high schools when providing public education

Flexible hours may be required to meet the needs of clients including group work and to provide public education in the community

Work in a remote environment, such as personal home, as required

As part of our recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence tools to support or assist the review of applications.  These tools may help us identify candidates whose qualifications best match job requirements.