Peer Support Worker (RPT 0.2 FTE)

Under the guidance and support of the Client and Family Hub, the Forensic Peer Support Worker will provide recovery-based peer support services and outreach support to family members of individuals in assessment, stabilization, rehabilitation, and transition phases of the Forensic Unit. This position will serve as a family advocate (advocating with NOT for) and support the family while other team members focus on the individual. The Forensic Peer Support Worker performs a wide range of tasks to assist the family who support their family member. This includes supporting family with finding needed resources, assisting families with understanding, developing family goals and plans, and supporting them while they support their family member as requested by the family. One-to-one peer mentoring and group peer support for the family will be provided. The Forensic Peer Support Worker will role model wellness and recovery, ongoing coping skills from a family perspective. The Forensic Peer Support Worker will also offer a family perspective to the clinical team with the purpose of supporting their understanding of family perspectives.

• Interface with peers, colleagues, service providers, family members, and community members in an empathetic, professional manner.
• Establish a rapport with people of various cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
• Represent the Royal with a high level of professionalism within the community and workplace.
• Work one to one with family members to support them in the development and achievement of self-determination, personal growth, empowerment, and their own individual recovery goals.
• Speak from the perspective of a family member, providing input and sharing personal experiences regarding supporting a family member with mental health/substance use and forensic issues.
• Attend case conference meetings for the purpose of supporting the family upon request of the family.
• Support family members in advocating for themselves within the Royal and the community.
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate small and large group presentations on mental health topics, including sharing personal journey of recovery.
• Share aspects of one’s lived expertise in a way that is helpful to the family they are supporting, while demonstrating the values of peer support.
• Possess an understanding, belief, and commitment to wellness/recovery.
• Believe in the recovery potential of all people with mental health and substance use challenges and be committed to the philosophy of peer support.
• Maintain ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the MHCC Guidelines to the Practice and Training of Peer Support.
• Participate in ongoing training, professional development, and continuing education to assist in peer support work.
• Coordinate and/or provide Peer Service activities including, but not limited to providing connection to supports in the community as well as at recovery education programs, facilitate family peer support groups as scheduled, outreach to families and community.
• Inform families on community resources, including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health, and other resources to support the needs of both the families as well as supports to support the needs of the individual.
• Ensure the representation of a family perspective in all areas of work as assigned but not limited to marketing efforts, curriculum development, program design, planning, policy, and delivery.
• Actively participate in staff meetings, supervision sessions, community of practice, and team/group activities.
• Complete all paperwork in a timely manner and keep files organized and up to date.
• Participate in program evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and research activities as appropriate.
• Be familiar with the Royal’s strategic plan.
• Keep current with hospital policies and procedures and applicable legislation (Mental Health Act etc.).
• Keep up to date by reviewing current literature, attending workshops/seminars, networking with colleagues and community partners.
• Work in a manner that is in compliance with staff and patient/client safety practices, policies, and procedures of the Royal.
• Ensure a work environment that is conducive to the Royal’s Respectful Workplace policy.

• Personal history as a family member supporting a family member who has/has had mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges plus forensic unit or criminal justice involvement.
• Ability to manage time, complete tasks accordingly.
• Communication skills (written and oral), organizational ability, critical thinking, and goal setting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including active and reflective listening skills.
• Must be self-motivated and possess the ability to work independently and within a team.
• Effective conflict resolution skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Desirable – peer support training.
• Desirable – knowledge of applicable legislation.
• Desirable knowledge of community resources (housing, finance etc.).
• Desirable current Certification as a Peer Support Worker. NOTE: if not, you will be required to complete this certification within 2 years.
• Desirable certification and/or experience providing Family Wellness Recovery Action Plan (Family WRAP) services.
• English level A- is mandatory in oral expression, oral comprehension, reading comprehension, and written expression. Bilingual (English/French) is considered an asset.