Peer Support Worker

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Treatment Assistant Manager – Women’s Treatment, the Peer Support Worker – Women’s Treatment is responsible for afternoon and overnight support and supervision to clients in the women’s unit of Harbour Light’s Treatment Program. All shifts are “awake” shifts. Their core responsibilities may include: clientele relations outside of regular office hours, Step-work group facilitating, direct client contact, administrative co-operation, medication administration.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar duties to the listed below:

Clientele Relations

• Monitors the activities of the clients/residents and maintains availability for personal, practical and moral support
• Ensure that the client becomes acclimatized to their new environment, is aware of all rules and gains confidence in the staff
• Attend in-house 12-step meetings, including Alumni Meeting
• Assist in Afterhours Intake Procedures
• Support Counsellors with follow-up on clients where there is a direct concern about clients mental health and/or well-being e.g. hourly checks, follow-up check-in’s, UA
• Provide and facilitate a weekly Step-Work Group to support clients with their step work required in the Treatment Program
• Administer evening or morning medications
• Report any concerning behaviour to Treatment Program Management and Primary Counsellor of clients involved
• Holds clients accountable to the principles of recovery
• Acts as a role model to clients by following their own program of recovery
• Ensure that confidentiality of all information regarding clients is maintained. Have knowledge of the “Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.”
• Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (12-step meetings, SMART Recovery Meetings, Recovery based events)
• Inform and remind clients when there are infractions of the rules and ensure the infractions are reported to the client’s counsellor and Treatment Program Manager
• Ensure that clients are aware of the client grievance procedure available to them.
• Monitors the environment and clients/residents to ensure safety and security; completes regular client/resident status checks.
• May supervise and/or work alongside volunteers to facilitate recreational activities for clients in the Women’s Treatment unit
• Ensure program participants’ movements are restricted to their department and approved areas only.

Direct Client Contact

• Provide client orientation reviewing the New Client Handbook; facilitate training around chores
• Afternoon shift: Ensure that verbal and visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. All check-ins are to be documented.
• Overnight shift: Ensure that visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. All check-ins are to be documented.
• Must be available for unscheduled meetings with clients.
• Documentation is essential in dealing with clients in the stabilization unit and treatment program.

Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation

• Maintains respectful & ethical relationships with clients and colleagues, in accordance with TSA policies and professional standards
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Director of Residential Programs, Treatment Program Manager, Treatment Assistant Manager or Clinical Supervisor if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors and Addiction Support Workers by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager or Director of Residential Programs
• May participate in seasonal client/program activities, e.g. client Christmas party, seasonal activities on-site or off-site

This role may perform other duties and other accountabilities as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Peer Support Workers work in a residential program setting, which includes work in an office, medication room, and in client/program spaces.
• Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver’s downtown eastside and in a multi-program facility. Our programs include community meals, 24-hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a correctional residential facility for men on parole, low-income housing, and other services.
• PSWs will take precautionary measures such as NVCI training, Mental Health First Aid, universal precautions, and other safety practices/tasks as directed.
• This role works with clients experiencing heightened emotions or in crisis. They may experience verbal abuse from time-to-time. They may be exposed to vicarious trauma.
• Staff may be at risk of physical attacks (e.g. violent/aggressive client acting out physically), exposure to infectious diseases, sharp objects, and/or emergency situations.
• This role may occasionally participate in off-site activities with the authorization of their manager.
• The performance of the job requires continuously sitting, and a moderate amount of keyboarding.
• The performance of the job requires moderate attention when interviewing clients, working with numbers, and frequent documentation.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide an original copy of a Background Check that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required. Criminal Record Review Program clearance is required for all positions at Vancouver Harbour Light. Ability to obtain federal Enhanced Security Clearance may be required for this position.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Grade 12 or equivalent - e.g., B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) or B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood)
• Further education in a related field would be an asset
• PeerConnectBC Peer Support Worker Certification (current or willing to be trained)
• Naloxone training, First Aid with CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (or willingness to be trained)
• Documentation confirming compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control program, per Residential Care Regulations

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements:

• One year of related experience working with women/female-identifying clients, including experience in an applicable community social services sector
• Must display a high level of stability in their personal recovery from substance use and be knowledgeable of relapse prevention strategies

Skills and Capabilities:

• Knowledge of 12-step recovery principles is required; lived experience with 12-step recovery program is a significant asset to this position
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Experience working with CAMS or another cloud-based client database is an asset
• Knowledgeable of different recovery models and support services
• Knowledge and experience with 12-step recovery model
• Understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for women in the DTES, including substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence
• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care, particularly in programs serving women/female-identifying clients
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Basic skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

Probationary: $26.85

Post-probationary: $27.60

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $26.85 to $27.23 with a maximum of $27.60.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.