Job Description

About the Role

The Peer Supporter provides support to individuals and their friends/families following a presentation and/or admission to the Emergency Department related to substance use and/or drug poisoning. The Peer Supporter provides professional peer support that blends lived experience with service navigation, practical and emotional support, and a sense of hope as individuals and families work through the first several days after a substance use related crisis and identify how they want to move forward.

The Peer Supporter will respond when an individual is brought to the Emergency Department, providing care, support, education, and information in a timely manner. The Peer Supporter will provide support to the individual and their family/friends while in hospital and briefly (for approximately 10 days) following discharge to support links to community resources and supports. This role will be based out of STC’s Mount Forest office location, however regular travel within Guelph-Wellington and to hospital locations which are part of the Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA).

Role Type: Full time, Permanent

Location of Work: Guelph-Wellington, Rural Locations (including Mount Forest, Palmerston, Fergus and surrounding areas)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Hours of Work: Monday-Friday, days (7:00am-3:00pm), however flexible availability may be occasionally required to support service delivery

Why Work for Stonehenge?

• Enhanced vacation offered to all staff
• Paid wellness days
• RRSP Matching plan available
• Health and dental benefits (no employee co-pay)
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan available to all staff
• Enhanced compensation when working overnight hours
• Personal and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Lived experience of substance use disorder and recovery required (mental health recovery an asset)
• Post-secondary education in addictions, social services or related field
• Experience providing support to individuals experiencing substance use / concurrent disorders
• Front line experience providing crisis intervention and management, outreach services, and community-based supports
• In depth knowledge and understanding of services available in the Waterloo Wellington Region
• Certification through Peer Support Canada an asset
• CSC Clearance conducted by PWGS Canada
• Successful Vulnerable sector check (VSS) required pre-employment
• Standard First Aid/CPR, Level C
• Valid G Driver’s License (G2 or G) and Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record
• Reliable (own) vehicle
• Willing to transport program participants, if required in future (When required, staff will be required to provide proof from Insurance provider of 1) at least $2 million in general liability and 2) acknowledgement of scope of vehicle use by Insurance provider
• Must meet all occupational health and policy requirements of partner Agency locations including full COVID-19 vaccination, annual influenza vaccination and full immunization series (as determined by Hospital policy), required pre-employment

Role Overview:

Direct Peer Support

• Delivering support in a manner that is consistent with emerging best practice in peer support, and that reflects goal oriented and recovery-oriented approaches to care
• Purposeful and deliberate sharing of your own lived experience of addiction/mental health recovery to facilitate engagement, build relationships, and support program participants
• Providing support to the peer in the emergency department and/or to their friends/family members, including facilitating access to STC Crisis Stabilization, RAAM, and Withdrawal Management services
• Providing follow up support and peer intervention as required

Consultation and Capacity Building

• Providing information and education to peer and/or their family/friends regarding overdose prevention, goal-oriented, recovery/community supports, etc.
• Facilitating referrals, connections, and information sharing regarding primary care, substance use disorder, and mental health supports within and beyond Stonehenge Therapeutic Community
• Advocating on behalf of peers, as appropriate, with other community service providers to enhance access to service

Documentation and Administration

• Participating in program reporting and development activities as required including program evaluation, data collection and input, process improvement, etc.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

We look forward to meeting you!

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community accommodates the needs of applicants throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Human Rights legislation. Should you require it, accommodation can be made at any point, upon request.

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community recognizes that diversity strengthens our community. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce. We believe in equitable opportunities for all and encourage cultural diversity as part of the recruitment and selection processes. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to enrich our collective growth and learning.