Peer Support Worker | Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team

Position Summary
We have an exciting permanent full time opportunity for a Peer Support Worker to join the Mental Health Substance Use Outreach Urban Health team in Kelowna, B.C. This position is with the Assertive Community Treatment team which is an outreach team supporting clients with severe and persistent mental illness.

Interior Health and our partner agencies provide a range of mental health and substance use services for all ages. We strive to ensure that our services are welcoming of all peoples, gender identities, cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.

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

What will you work on?

The ACT program is a team treatment approach designed to provide comprehensive, community-based psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and support to persons with serious and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia. Among the services ACT teams provide are: case management, initial and ongoing assessments; psychiatric services; employment and housing assistance; family support and education; substance abuse services.

The Peer Support Worker (PSW) utilizes their own lived experience of substance use and/or mental health, experience enacting their own wellness plan, and knowledge of accessing healthcare, services and supports combined with peer support training and skills to assist MHSU clients to identify and meet their 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 determining aspects of the care plan, identifying, developing and implementing programming to meet the client’s goals, assessing progress and adapting or changing the plan as needed. The PSW coaches the client to strengthen and apply self-determination in all aspects of their care plan and in cases where the client can’t express their needs, the PSW is responsible to advocate on their behalf from a lens of lived experience. The PSW provides supportive counselling, wellness planning, case management, formal advocacy, life skills assistance, information, resources, and demonstrations.

The PSW works in collaboration with the ACT 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 any environment including: the streets, shelters, hospitals, apartments, office.

Scheduling Information:

Shift types are from 08:00 to 16:00 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 either of: substance use, co-occurring substance use and mental illness, or mental illness (as determined by the assigned program area).

Diploma in a Social Services program and successful completion of a recognized Peer Support Training program plus 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 V).

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 Diploma