OVERVIEW

The Peer Support Worker collaborates with youth to provide individualized and flexible support to engage and help to facilitate access to resources and supports to maximize independence and potential, and promote recovery. This individual will be providing one on one, short-term support where required. Peer Support workers have their own lived experience with mental health and substance use and have gone through a process of recovery.Peer Support Workers have obtained peer support related training to assist others with mental health challenges to identify and achieve life goals as part of their own recovery. The Peer Support Worker uses empowerment and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, raise self-esteem and mastery, improve self-concept, and instill hope.
The Peer Support Worker will utilize their lived experience with mental health and/or substance usechallenges as they support clients in determining their unique goals. They will provide a source ofencouragement and hope, partnering with clients as they pursue their objectives. The collaborative work with clients will involve the role of a coach and liaison. The role will include bridging people back into community and helping clients to link withcommunity resources of their choice. This role focuses on being a shared learner with clients, rather than being a therapist or treatment provider.
This role promotes empowerment, self-determination and independence through peer mentorship, emotional support and relationship/rapport building using recovery-oriented approaches. Supports and assists service users in exploration of skill building, community integration, and the development of natural supports in their community utilizing non-judgmental, strengths-based conversations and person-centered goal setting.
This role supports transitional age youth across the mental health and substance use program in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

EDUCATION

• A degree or diploma in the health or social services, or a related discipline required .
• WRAP training considered a strong asset

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1 year experience in a peer support role.
• Knowledge of systemic issues such as stigma and the isolation felt by individuals with serious mental illness and their families.
• Knowledge of recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices in work with clients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of youth mental health and substance use resources and youth community services.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities.
• Willingness to share their own personal recovery journey.
• Demonstrated skill in using computers including using technology-based solutions for service delivery, documentation, and viewing screening and assessment data.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of the peers and consumers.
• Demonstrated ability to role model therapeutic relationships with marginalized populations and work from an anti-oppressive and trauma informed lens.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal skillsto establish/maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, the public and other agencies.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Good work and attendance record.
• All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
• All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
• All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health andsafety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH’s policies and practices.

Please refer the Job description for details