Peer Support Worker

Alberta Health Services; Red Deer; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Alberta Health Services seeks an Indigenous Peer Support Worker to provide essential support for individuals dealing with Opioid Use Disorder. This role requires lived experience with addiction and a commitment to advocacy and culturally sensitive care, fostering recovery through mentorship and support.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience working with marginalized populations.
• Lived experience with addictions or mental health illness required.
• Ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional and social support to individuals accessing services.
• Establish culturally sensitive relationships to enable trust and healing.
• Advocate for client needs within multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Advocacy

Support

Communication

Cultural Sensitivity

Trauma-Informed Care

Education

Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent

Basic Cardiac Life Support - Healthcare Provider (BCLS-HCP)

Job description

Your Opportunity:

The Opioid Dependency Program, with Narcotic Transition Services, provides holistic support to people diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder. In this exciting opportunity, we are seeking an experienced, caring and strength-based professional to complement our Health Services Team to support people in their journey. This Indigenous Peer Support Worker (IPSW) position will work with the OPS multidisciplinary team to provide culturally aware, client-centered interventions and supports that provide emotional and social support to individuals accessing services. Through your own lived experience(s) with addiction and/or mental illness(s), and experiences of recovery and resilience, this position can inspire hope to clients by sharing your recovery story, offering mentorship and recovery support; advocating for client needs; and supporting an integrated and recovery-orientated treatment experience. The IPSW establishes responsive, culturally sensitive and consultative relationships that enable trust and healing among peoples of very diverse world views and approaches to health and healing. The IPSW plays a pivotal role in care for Indigenous people across the health service continuum, including providing and/or facilitating spiritual and cultural support, emotional, physical and mental wellness and education to diverse Indigenous people seeking health care services. The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of personal and professional boundaries and be clear of their role in supporting individuals in their treatment journeys and not in directing it. The incumbent must commit to strengthening team dynamics by advocating for the client, actively facilitating team collaboration, and engaging with community partners to enhance client health outcomes.

Description:

As a Peer Support Worker, you will provide interventions and supports that are complementary to the work of a multi-disciplinary outreach team. The team functions together to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services for the diverse needs of clients navigating life impacting experiences. Through your own lived experience(s), and experiences of recovery and resilience, as the Peer Support Worker, you can authentically inspire hope to clients by sharing your story, offering mentorship and support; advocating for client needs; and supporting an integrated and resiliency/recovery-oriented health care and treatment experience.

Acute Care Alberta: Primary Care Alberta: N Recovery Alberta: Y Classification: Peer Support Worker Union: AUPE GSS Unit and Program: Opioid Dependency Program Primary Location: Red Deer AMH Opioid Depend Prg Location Details: As Per Location Multi-Site: Not Applicable FTE: 0.70 Posting End Date: 25-JUN-2025 Temporary Employee Class: Temp P/T Benefits Date Available: 05-JUL-2025 Temporary End Date: 01-JUL-2026 Hours per Shift: 7.75 Length of Shift in weeks: 8 Shifts per cycle: 28 Shift Pattern: Days Days Off: As Per Rotation Minimum Salary: $24.92 Maximum Salary: $27.46 Vehicle Requirement: Driver's License, Vehicle Required

Required Qualifications:

Please Refer To The Additional Required Qualifications.

Additional Required Qualifications:

Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Healthcare Provider (BCLS-HCP). Minimum two years’ experience working with diverse and marginalized populations with mental health concerns and/or substance use. Lived experience with addictions, homelessness and/or mental health illness (must identify in cover letter). Must be willing to share one’s personal experience(s). Excellent ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary. Must be self-directed and take initiative. Knowledge and experience of the principles and practice of harm reduction and trauma informed care. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle is a requirement to meet clients in the community to provide social/emotional support and to connect them with other community supports. Working knowledge of computer applications including word processing, email, internet access and data entry required. This position has transitioned to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Recovery Alberta.

Preferred Qualifications:

Connect Care Training. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.