Peer Support Worker

We are seeking a caring and strength-based professional to join our Narcotics Transition Services team. Our team provides holistic support to help people with severe opioid addiction. We offer patient and family centered treatment plans to manage severe addictions. The Narcotics Transition Service offers an alternative to those who have not been able to initiate or stabilize on conventional treatment medications within our Opioid Dependency Program. Our focus on quality of life reflects our understanding that recovery is a personal journey. Through your own lived experience(s) with addiction and/or mental illness(s), poverty (including homelessness) and experiences of recovery and resilience, you can authentically inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of recovery. As a Personal Support Worker, you will provide interventions and supports that complement the work of Addiction & Mental Health clinicians by providing emotional and social support to individuals seeking services. Your focus will be on harm reduction and supporting individuals in achieving their personal goals. Unconditional positive regard for cultural and gender diversity and supporting peers/clients in accessing services that are of meaning and assistance to their recovery is essential. You will ensure that peer/clients are connected with resources, help them understand services and gain knowledge about their rights & responsibilities. You will also advocate for the peer/clients, actively facilitate team collaboration, and engage with community partners to enhance peer/client health outcomes. In addition to a competitive rate of pay, AHS currently has a Remote Retention Allowance in place to an annual maximum of $3,000. This allowance is non-pensionable and is payable on an hourly basis for all hours paid at the basic rate of pay.

As a Peer Support Worker, you will provide interventions and supports that are complementary to the work of a multi-disciplinary outreach team. The team functions together to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support services for the diverse needs of clients navigating life impacting experiences. Through your own lived experience(s), and experiences of recovery and resilience, as the Peer Support Worker, you can authentically inspire hope to clients by sharing your story, offering mentorship and support; advocating for client needs; and supporting an integrated and resiliency/recovery-oriented health care and treatment experience.

Please refer to the Additional Required Qualifications.

Completion of grade 12 or equivalent. Minimum two years’ experience working with diverse and marginalized populations, particularly the homeless (work or volunteer). Lived experience with addictions, homelessness and/or mental health illness (must identify in cover letter). Must be willing to share one’s personal experience(s). Established ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary. Knowledge and experience of the principles and practice of harm reduction. Lived experience of poverty, experience living in recovery from an addiction and/or a mental health condition. Knowledge of systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment, stigma, medications and the isolation felt by individuals with serious addiction/mental health issues and their families. Involvement with local/emerging community of practice and with national peer support organization is strongly encouraged. This position has been identified and is anticipated to transition to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you will transition to Recovery Alberta. In accordance with the transition letter of understanding with UNA, current employees under the UNA Collective Agreement who accept an employment offer, issued after July 1, 2024, will not have any rights under Article 15: Layoff and Recall.

Completion of a recognized peer support training program. Experience in a health care setting or a human services field outside of health care. Mindfulness about cultural and gender diversity and positive regard towards clients. Experience with multi-cultural recovery pathways. Knowledge of an Indigenous language & culture. Knowledge of systemic issues such as poverty and stigma. Non-violent crisis intervention. Mental Health First Aid. Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Healthcare Provider.