Peer Support Specialist

Who we are:

Canadian Mental Health Association Durham is an integrated community mental health and primary care hub that has been providing mental health services to Durham Region for over 60 years.

During that time, it has evolved to provide a broad range of services to individuals and their families experiencing mental health challenges, from information and education to case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, housing and primary healthcare. These services are provided through inter-professional teams focused on providing clinically based services that, in addition to dealing with client mental health issues, address social determinants of health using the recovery model.

Overview of the role: This position provides peer support services to ACT clients within the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham (CMHA Durham).

Responsibilities:

Participates as a member of a high performance, multi-disciplinary team working with individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness within a variety of community settings

Provides strengths-based and recovery oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, promote self-determination and instill hope

Provides consultation utilizing self-disclosure and sharing of life experience to serve as mentor and role model

Promotes awareness and supports client participation in consumer self-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery

Facilitates recovery education and support groups including Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) from a recovery and strengths based perspective

Assists clients to recognize and develop coping mechanisms to deal with symptoms and social stigma

Educates staff within the team regarding the consumer perspective on the mental health system and assisting the team to maintain a client-centred approach that maximizes client participation and empowerment

Advocates for development of consumer initiatives within the community and identifying opportunities for client empowerment

Attends professional meetings, educational conferences and designated training workshops, as assigned, in order to maintain up-to-date knowledge and transfer knowledge to staff within the organization

Documents client contacts within predetermined time frame in accordance with CMHA Durham policies and procedures

Supports and assists clients with maintaining their skills to live independently in the community and promotes safe and healthy living standards ensuring that client’s basic needs of food, clothing and shelter are met

Provides support services to clients assisting with scheduled appointments, arranging transportation to appointments and/or accompanying clients to appointments, as necessary

Provides assistance to clients establishing peer and family support networks

Establishes supportive therapeutic relationship with clients and advocates for, and with, clients families

Provides clients with opportunities for learning through recreation, vocational and concurrent disorder activities

Other tasks as assigned by management

Risk Management

Minimizes risks adhering to CMHA Durham Policies and Procedures identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling risks ensuring well-being of staff, guests, caregivers and clients

Skills you bring:

Must be able to work from a position of lived experience as a recipient of mental health services for serious mental illness

Peer Support certification preferred

Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act, Ontario ACTT Standards, social service benefits and related legislation in Ontario

Ability to engage in participant interactions which negotiate complex boundaries of self-disclosure and appropriate working relationships

In-depth knowledge of recovery and peer support movements

Ability to apply recovery principles and empowerment oriented philosophies and practices

Instructor certification in WRAP preferred

Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills

Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships clients, community, partners and represent the agency in a professional manner at all times

Ability to acquire and utilize community resources effectively to meet client’s needs

Flexibility to adapt to change

Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds

Ability to work independently and in a dynamic team environment

Ability to think critically and creatively

Ability to manage crisis situations

Post-secondary education is an asset

Valid Ontario Driver’s license, access to a dependable vehicle in safe working order and appropriate insurance coverage

Ability to work a variable work schedule, which may include evenings and weekends, as required

Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook), as well as the internet

EFFORT

Sits at a desk, as well as stands and walks daily, in order to perform the duties of the job.

Concentration, attentiveness and creativity required daily to attend meetings, teach life skills, engage with clients and caregivers, prepare documents, etc.

Working Conditions:

Works on site in office setting, as well as off-site in residential homes, doctors’ offices, shelters, staff vehicle, and clinical office environments

Exposure to abusive/irate clients, distractions, interruptions and deadlines

Little exposure to hazards

What we offer:

CMHA Durham is a non-profit community-based organization that believes that mental and physical health care is for everyone regardless of class, race, sexuality, gender, age, faith, or ability. With a flexible working model (within reasonable parameters of the program), memberships to meditation apps, competitive vacation, wellness time and 100% employer paid health benefits, work-life balance is not only encouraged but expected. Our Monday – Friday work week has 35 hours for most position and everyone gets their birthday off with pay.

Read more about us at CMHADurham.org/getinvolved.

CMHA Durham endorses the principles of workforce diversity and does not use AI algorithms or automated decision-making in the recruitment process.   All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please advise us if you require any level of accommodation, we are here to help and support you.