Peer Support - Community Mental Health Worker

Coast Mental Health•Vancouver, BC

29d•CA$33 - CA$35•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Peer Support Program Manager, the Peer Support Specialist (PSS) shares their lived experience of mental illness/substance use to assist our clients living throughout our Community Homes, Supportive Housing, Licensed Care and Drop-in Day Programs (Clubhouse & Resource Centre). Both Peer Support Specialists will lead healthy lifestyle initiatives and programs throughout these sites and will be tailoring the programs and services based on the needs of population of each site. This work will be done with the support of the Peer Support Manager and Program Director and will be informed by listening to the tenants and members of the different sites. Both PSS's will selected based on suitability and will need to have lived experience with a lived history of mental illness and or substance use. This lived experience will be a critical component guiding their perspective and ability to engage and build rapport with clients. The PSS's will also be helping to facilitate monthly tenant and member meetings at each site and will be using the feedback from these meetings to help inform future programs, healthy lifestyle activities and outings as well as other areas for change based on feedback received.

Requirements

Lived experience of mental illness and or substance use
Completion of Grade 12; and a diploma or certificate in mental health, social services or peer support or equivalent experience.
One-year recent related work, volunteer or education experience with an emphasis on mental illness/substance use.
Ability to provide or obtain the following upon hire: Certificates in First Aid + CPR, WHMIS, Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Clearance.
Ability to engage clients.
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and their supports.
Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
Lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges and the ability to draw upon that experience intentionally and appropriately in a peer support role, is required.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and group facilitation skills.
Completion of a recognized peer support training program.
Understanding of peer support values, including mutuality, hope, self-determination, and appropriate boundaries.

Responsibilities

Ensuring that clients are provided with appropriate support to match them wherever they are in their journey towards healthier living
Lead healthy lifestyle programs and outings
Aim to help them learn the skills to live increasingly independently while maintaining their mental and physical health and getting to know the client as a unique individual
Supports clients with the development of healthy lifestyles skills by promoting exercise programs and in service educational healthy lifestyle information sessions
Assists with creating an effective and supportive connection between community services and programs aimed at improving physical health
Collaborates with the client and the CMH team to support the client to achieve individual goals, needs and situational requirements
Participates in program planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities that facilitate goal setting, by attending meetings and providing input
Prepares and maintains written and computerized records and completes other program documentation, including writing progress notes, completing incident reports
Maintains an awareness of current community resources including healthcare services, social, recreational and educational services related to the promotion of health and wellness
Maintains knowledge and understanding of, and comply with all CMH policies and procedures as outlined in the policy and procedures and other documentation

Benefits

100% employer-paid benefits for employees and their families.
Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Group Life, Massage therapy, Physiotherapy, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
General sick-leave accruals.
Long-term disability programs.
Short-term disability programs available to exempt positions only.
5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year.
8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total.
Employee and Family Assistance Program, which includes personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching.
Cognitive behavioural therapy program (CBT abilities program) and Headversity for managing a variety of life issues and includes self-paced therapeutic support.
Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire.