Peer Support Worker

Reporting to the Care Manager, the Peer Support Worker (PSW) works as a key member of the newly forming Recovery Response Team at Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH). The team will consist of Licensed Practical Nurses, Peer Support Workers and Protective Services. Our team is committed to providing Mental Health and Addiction care to persons recovering from and living with Addiction. We work with other teams to alleviate stigma, create safety and timely access to care. We respond to urgent calls on campus and provide critical intervention as it relates to drug poisonings and other unmet care needs. The PSW collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to provide patient-centered, trauma-informed care grounded in a recovery-oriented philosophy. The primary goal of the Recovery Team is to respond with expertise and compassion to situations involving substance use, offering immediate support, connection, and pathways to recovery. Together, the team works to foster a safer, more supportive hospital environment where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and understanding. The role includes responding to drug poisonings and providing follow-up care, overdose prevention, general health and wellness screening, and outreach and engagement. The PSW will collaborate with the RAH Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic, Emergency Department, Acute Care Addiction Recovery Program (ACARP), and Protective Services to ensure seamless care and coordinated connections. This job is very dynamic, diverse and involves a lot of movement both indoors and outdoors on a large campus. We are looking for an effective and hard worker; a person with valuable lived experience who is passionate about their work.

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.

Please refer to the Additional Required Qualifications.

Lived experience with addiction and recovery is a requirement. Experience working with inner city and with marginalized and vulnerable populations. Demonstrated ability to practice within a Recovery Orientated framework. Active listening skills. Ability to maintain a calm and tactful composure under a broad range of challenging circumstances and think clearly and stay focused under pressure. Experience and interest in working with persons recovering from and living with Addiction. This works requires critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. Training and familiarity with suicide risk screening, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, and BLS/CPR. You need to have computer skills and good communication skills. Ability to work in + outdoors + move around a large hospital campus. Takes pride in quality work and values time integrity. Can respond to new needs in the role as they arise with initiative and self-directedness. Desire to help plan and adjust as a new role and team is developed. 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.

Ability to support transitions to community resources to ensure continuity of care. Ability to share expertise and personal experiences to empower others and share hope. High degree of self-awareness and capacity to establish appropriate boundaries to provide a non-judgmental, confidential and respectful environment. Strong communication skills including conflict management and resolution. Post Secondary education, programs, certificates + training considered.