Peer Support Worker | Complex Care Housing

Position Summary
We have an exciting permanent part time (0.62 FTE) opportunity for a Peer Support Worker to join the Mental Health Substance Use (MHSU) Complex Care Housing team at the Outreach Urban Health in Kelowna, B.C.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and an attractive remuneration package
• Career Growth
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Contribution to Municipal Pension Plan
• Balanced lifestyle

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking an empathetic, reliable, and recovery-oriented Peer Support Worker to join our Mental Health and Substance Use - Complex Care Housing Team. The ideal candidate will bring lived experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges and a strong understanding of recovery, harm reduction, and person-centered care. This individual will use their personal experience to foster hope, build trust, and empower clients in achieving their self-identified goals for wellness and community integration. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to model healthy coping strategies, and a commitment to supporting others through shared experience and collaboration with the interdisciplinary MHSU team. Familiarity with local community resources, advocacy, and assisting individuals in navigating health and social service systems are key assets for this role.

What will you work on?

Complex Care Housing provides supportive housing for persons with mental health and substance use, with an emphasis on intensive clinical health supports available 24/7. This position will support the Complex Care Housing sites within the community.

The Peer Support Worker (PSW) shares their own lived experience of substance use, mental health and their knowledge of accessing healthcare, services and supports to assist MHSU clients in their identified goals. The PSW identifies themselves as a Peer and collaborates with the client and the MHSU team to meet individual needs and situational requirements by providing information from a lived experience perspective in order to assist clients in obtaining service from other MHSU team staff, external service providers and community resources more effectively. The PSW provides a variety of supports to assist clients living with substance use/mental illness such as emotional and social supports, life skills assistance, information, resources, and demonstrations.

The PSW works in collaboration with the MHSU team so that the client’s self-identified goals for recovery and community integration are supported by appropriate services and practices, are consistent with the values of self-determination /choice and harm reduction. Services are provided in a variety of environments dependent on the needs of the client.

Scheduling Information:

Days of work are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and shift types are from 09:00 to 17:00 hours.

How will you create an impact?

Joining our IH team will allow you to challenge yourself professionally while enjoying all the personal pursuits available to you within this fantastic community.

Reasons to Apply at Interior Health... What we can do for you

We offer a work environment conducive to growth and development of strong skills and a work environment that supports and promotes psychological health & safety for all. We offer the opportunity to have a balanced lifestyle that allows you to maintain the quality of life you desire.

If this opportunity is aligned with your experience, training and passion for mental health, apply today!

Qualfications
Education, Training and Experience:

• Two years of lived experience in recovery from substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental illness.

• Certificate in a Social Services program and successful completion of a recognized Peer Support Training program

• Two (2) years recent related experience in a peer support role or an equivalent combination of education, training, peer support and employment experience

• Appropriate valid BC driver’s license (Class 5).

As part of your application, please ensure to:

• Upload your resume, cover letter (if Out of Province indicate if you are relocating to the area and when)
• Upload a copy of your Certificate/Diploma

To strengthen your application for this Mental Health position, we invite you include in your cover letter:

1. What inspired you to apply for this Peer Support Worker role with Interior Health?

2. What personal strengths and skills do you bring to this position?

3. How do you use your lived experience in your work with others?

4. Have you had experience working with people who have complex mental health or substance use concerns?