Peer Support Worker

The Peer Support Worker is an essential member of an integrated, recovery-oriented treatment team. The Peer Support Worker working in ODP provides interventions and supports that are complementary to the work of the other providers by providing emotional and social support to others who share a common experience. Through their own lived experience(s) with addiction and/or mental illness(s) and experiences of recovery and resilience, the Peer Support Worker can authentically inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of recovery. As a result, the service recipient’s recovery and personal life goals can/are integrated with the health care team’s treatment goals. Service recipients are supported in being informed and activated patients with better health outcomes, improved quality of life and greater degrees of community integration. The service recipient's recovery and personal life goals are central to the plan of treatment with the health care team; the Peer Support worker is a strong advocate for and with the peer to this end. Service recipients are supported in being informed, empowered, offering hope and assistance in achieving better health outcomes, improved quality of life and greater degrees of community integration. Unconditional positive regard for cultural and gender diversity and supporting peers in accessing services that are of meaning and assistance to their recovery is essential. Recovery oriented services focus on quality of life and reflect our understanding that recovery is a personal journey. It is characterized by the ability to have increasing responsibility and control of one's life in order to have hope, positive identity, and a meaningful life even within the limitations that may accompany addiction, mental health concerns or mental illness.

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.

Experience in recovery from a mental health and/or addiction illness. Lived experience of poverty. Must be willing to share personal experience. Recovery Coach Training Course. BLS-C (Basic Rescuer) required or available for immediate training. Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, or available for immediate training. Minimum two years’ experience working with diverse and marginalized populations, particularly the homeless (work or volunteer). Valid class 5 Alberta Driver’s License. This position has transitioned to Recovery Alberta effective September 1, 2024. By applying on this posting, if you are the successful candidate, you agree to and will become an employee of Recovery Alberta.

Previous experience in a health care setting or human services field outside of health care setting. Knowledge of social issues such as poverty, unemployment, stigma, medications, and the isolation felt by individuals with serious mental health issues and their families. Involvement with local/emerging community of practice and with national peer support organizations is strongly encouraged. Knowledge of Mental Health Services Protection Act and Narcotic Transition Services regulations.