Other Opportunities: Peer Support Specialist (Part-time)

Qualifications Required

Reporting to the Clinical Manager of Mental Health, the Peer Specialist is responsible for the provision of mental health peer support provided within a recovery-based philosophy. The Peer Specialist provides individual and group supports, advocacy and psychoeducation to address the needs of clients in Northumberland County living with serious mental illness; assignments within the role may include, but not be limited to: Recover College facilitator, Transitional Discharge Support and Emergency Department Peer Support.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
• The Peer Specialist works together with appropriate staff, to provide formalized support and formulated treatment plans and recovery goals in areas such as life skills, independent living, crisis prevention, budgeting, community integration, symptom management and employment.
• Establish a collaborative therapeutic rapport with clients and promote self-determination and opportunities for further connection in the community
• Using a “hands on” approach, assist clients in the development of daily living skills, i.e. housekeeping, household safety, menu planning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, money management and personal budgeting. Encourage personal hygiene.
• Provide education through one-to-one contact and group facilitation on mental health, coping strategies, the development of problem solving, conflict resolution, coping, social and interpersonal skills, and any other issues relevant to the individuals supported.
• Facilitate clients' utilization of appropriate community services (e.g. medical, psychiatric, legal, housing, social services, etc.) and rehabilitative programs by performing duties such as researching available services, liaising with these agencies, providing related advice and consultation to clients and providing referrals to appropriate community treatment alternatives and services.
• Provides expertise gained via lived experience related to recovery process for service users living with a severe and persistent mental illness
• Assist clients in increasing awareness of, and in making use of community resources to ensure that food, shelter, leisure, health care and transportation needs can be met.
• Provide peer support to clients who attend the Emergency Department at NHH and are experiencing a mental health crisis, to assist with management of the environmental stimuli in the ED, open communication between the client and hospital staff and volunteers, contribute to a client centered experience in the ED.
• Actively participate in workplace and program orientation, education and training.
• Ensure all work complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Comply with all applicable NHH and CMHS Safety and Infection Control policy and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Undergraduate Degree in social work, counseling, education or related field preferred.
• Current certificate of registration with a regulatory college (preferred) such as Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists and/or the College of Nurses of Ontario
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness
• Current and demonstrated knowledge and lived experience with mental illness; knowledge including etiology, prognosis and treatment modalities
• Experience working with individuals with Concurrent Disorders
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principals
• Experience in mental health teaching to clients, family and community
• Working knowledge of Mental Health Reform, Mental Health Act, privacy legislation
• Evidence of ongoing continuing education courses in mental health or related fields
• High level of skills and ability to negotiate and communicate with clients, their families other service providers and members of the community
• Possess the ability to work in a rapidly changing environment and to communicate clearly both verbally and in written form
• Evidence of ongoing continuing education courses in mental health or related fields
• Successful completion of a criminal reference review
• Valid driver’s license and insurance; clear driving abstract
• CPR and First Aid Certification required

Applications must be received by January 3, 2020 via the NHH Recruitment Portal.