Peer Support Worker

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:

Under the direction of the Treatment Program Manager, the Peer Support Worker is responsible for the following areas: clientele relations outside of regular office hours, Step-work group facilitating, direct client contact and administrative co-operation. Detailed descriptions of the work are included under Accountabilities below. This Position Description will form the basis for the employees' annual performance evaluation conducted by the Treatment Program Manager.

Accountabilities:

Clientele Relations

• Monitors the activities of the clients/residents and maintains availability for personal, practical and moral support
• Ensure that the client becomes acclimatized to his new environment, is aware of all rules and gains confidence in the staff
• Provide client orientation reviewing the New Client Handbook; facilitate training around chores
• Attend in-house 12-step meetings, including Alumni Meeting
• Assist in Afterhours Intake Procedures
• Support Counsellors with follow-up on clients where there is a direct concern about clients mental health and/or well-being e.g. hourly checks, follow-up check-in's, UA
• Provide and facilitate a weekly Step-Work Group to support clients with their step work required in the Treatment Program
• Administer evening medications
• Report any concerning or suspicious behaviour to Treatment Program Management and Primary Counsellor of clients' involved
• Holds clients accountable to the principles of recovery
• Acts as a role model to clients by following their own program of recovery
• Ensure that confidentiality of all information regarding clients is maintained. Have knowledge of the "Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act."
• Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (12-step meetings, SMART Recovery Meetings, Recovery based events)
• Inform and remind clients when there are infractions of the rules and ensure the infractions are reported to the client's counsellor and Treatment Program Manager
• Ensure that clients are aware of the client grievance procedure available to them.

Direct Client Contact

• Ensure that visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. All check-ins are to be documented.
• Must be available for unscheduled meetings with clients.
• Documentation is an essential in dealing with clients in the stabilization unit and treatment program.

Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation

• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Director of Residential Programs, Treatment Program Manager, Treatment Assistant Manager or Clinical Supervisor if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors and Addiction Support Workers by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager or Director of Residential Programs

Other duties may be assigned as required.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils: None

Internal:

• Treatment Counsellors and Management
• Director of Residential Programs

External:

• N/A

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:

• Reports directly to: Treatment Program Manager
• Direct reports for this position: none, although they may occasionally supervise volunteers and/or practicum students.

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• The PSW is involved in minor financial matters regularly, or on a relief basis. They have responsibility for the wise use of their own resources.
• They may be authorized to spend, disburse, or collect small amounts of cash.
• They have very little input into the annual budget.
• They are responsible for the wise use of program materials, but are not responsible for ordering or inventory.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Typically in an office in a residential facility or for a community-based program.
• Hours of work are 1 full-time (Mon-Fri) and 1 part-time (Sat-Sun) block of shifts from 2:00pm to 10:00pm, with 7.5 paid hours and 0.5hrs unpaid meal break.
• PSWs will take precautionary measures such as NVCI training, Mental Health First Aid, universal precautions, and other safety practices/tasks as directed.
• The PSW may work with clients experiencing heightened emotions or in crisis. They may experience verbal abuse from time-to-time.
• PSWs may be at risk of physical attacks (e.g. violent/aggressive client acting out physically), exposure to infectious diseases, sharp objects, and/or emergency situations.
• This role may occasionally participate in off-site activities with the authorization of their manager.
• The performance of the job requires continuously sitting, and a moderate amount of keyboarding.
• The performance of the job requires moderate attention when interviewing clients, working with numbers, and occasional documentation.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army's Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Grade 12 or equivalent - e.g., B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) or B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood)
• Further education in a related field would be an asset
• Current certification in First Aid/CPR (or willing to be trained)
• Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or equivalent (or willing to be trained)
• Current certification in Mental Health First Aid (or willing to be trained)
• PeerConnectBC Peer Support Worker Certification (current or willing to be trained)
• Ability to receive and maintain Criminal Record Review Program vulnerable sector clearance

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• One year of related experience including experience in an applicable community social services sector

• Must display a high level of stability in their personal recovery from substance use and be knowledgeable of relapse prevention strategies

Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Intermediate computer skills, particularly ability to use Outlook-based email, basic Excel, and Word
• Experience working with CAMS or another cloud-based client database is an asset
• Knowledgeable of different recovery models and support services
• Knowledge and experience with 12-step recovery model

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.