Community Mental Health Worker, Peer Support

Community Mental Health Worker, Peer Support

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Position Title: Community Mental Health Worker, Peer Support

Type and Hours: Regular Full-time, 35 hrs/wk

Department: Integrated Health Services

Program: Assertive Community Treatment Team

Reports to: Manager, Community Mental Health

Pay Scale: $31.201/hr to $36.706/hr

Benefits:

• Extended Group Health Benefits
• Paid Leave Entitlements
• HOOPP
• Flexible Health and Wellness Spending Account

Who are we?

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative community-based, multi-service center. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals,families,and communities to achieve their full potential, payingparticular attentionto those who are most vulnerable and at risk.PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.If at any stage in the selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

Job Summary

The Assertive Community Treatment Team is looking for a Peer Support Specialist who has experienced their own journey with mental health and/or addictions challenges and systems. Under the general direction of the ACT Team Manager and as a member of the ACT Team, the Mental Health Worker provides advocacy and support services to clients and families affected by mental illness.

The Team works from a psychiatric rehabilitation perspective, to provide client-centered treatment, rehabilitation, and support to referred clients.

Job Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive client assessments using a peer support lens (includes in vivo discipline specific and multi-disciplinary assessment instruments, client self-assessment, family assessment, reports by other service providers, etc.), in collaboration with other ACT Team members and the client, develop individualized client treatment/rehabilitation plans.
• Assume responsibility for the treatment, rehabilitation, and support of assigned clients within the context of the mini-team and the larger ACT team.
• Provide direct assistance with symptom management (includes medication delivery if needed, 24-hour crisis support, individual clinical relationship, etc.).
• Provide direct assistance with instrumental functioning - employment, social relations and/or activities of daily living (includes in vivo skill teaching, environmental modifications, side-by-side assistance, assistance with transportation, etc.)
• Facilitate an optimally supportive environment including assistance with meeting basic needs, a supportive social environment, and supportive family relationships.
• Enhance team understanding of psychiatric recovery theory.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and their families.
• Refer clients, and introduce them to, consumer initiatives within the community, identify opportunities for client empowerment
• Assist clients with social functioning including developing and facilitating groups with clear skill building and developmental objectives.
• Support with the design, implementation, and monitoring of recreation service activities including maintaining budget and statistics.
• Participate in daily ACT team meetings to review clients and organize daily assignments.
• Complete and maintain all necessary documentation as per ACT and professional standards (includes client assessments, treatment/rehab plans, progress reports, client Kardex/log, client contact schedule, etc.).
• Monitor, revise and enhance client progress and revise treatment/rehabilitation plans as indicated.
• Ensure continuity of client care is maintained through exchange of information and communication with the client, family physicians, family members, and other service providers who may be involved with the client. Secure resources by preparing reports, completing application forms/letters as required.
• Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of program services to meet the needs of the program.
• Complete all required non-clinical administrative documents (e.g., workload measurement, quality improvement, forms, etc.).
• Provides strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, promote self-determination and instill hope.
• Establishes a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual, and clarifying the role of the Peer Support Worker with the client.
• Provides consultation from a mental health consumers perspective
• Peer support will focus on: discussion of recovery values and principles, focus on strengths and wellness, introduction to Recovery Support Plan from a recovery and strengths-based perspective, and support in communicating with others (e.g., family, companion, care provider, clinical staff)

Networking and Development Related Activities

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local employers, service providers, stakeholders, and families.
• Work collaboratively with other ACTT teams, local employers, service providers and community stakeholders in the provision of service to ACT clients.
• Provide consultative services to community agencies and the public: act as resource/speaker on mental health issues.
• Ensure service provision is consistent with local/regional mental health system planning.
• Keep up to date, re: professional standards by reviewing current literature, attending workshops/seminars, networking with colleagues, etc.
• Maintain an up-to-date record of community resources/contacts.

Team Related Activities

• Work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and participate in team and staff development opportunities.
• Participate in client recreational activities as scheduled.
• Participate in team, staff, Board and committee meetings, and other Centre activities as required.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience with the mental health system.
• Identify as someone who has lived experience with mental health illness(es) and/or addiction.
• 2-5 years experiencing working with people diagnosed with a severe and persistent psychiatric illness and knowledge of complex mental health issues illness from a bio-psycho - social perspective.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish/maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, the public and other agencies.
• Ability to promote positive change and independence.
• Must have strong commitment and belief towards a client centered practice and nonjudgmental attitude; ability to establish supporting and trusting relationships with personal experiencing mental health issues.
• Experience in providing community-based mental health services including crisis intervention, group work, referral, and advocacy.
• Have certifications in the following areas, or be willing to obtain WRAP facilitation, Peer Work Peer support Core essentials training.
• Degree in one of the behavioral sciences and/or an acceptable combination of education/training and experience.
• Clinical skills: ability to provide psychoeducational and therapeutic mental health services to families of clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Administrative skills: completing reports and maintaining client records; working in a computerized (Windows) environment.
• Requirement to work regularly scheduled day, evening, and weekend shifts as well as scheduled on call shifts.
• English essential; Bilingualism and other languages an asset.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s license, access to a dependable vehicle in safe working order and appropriate insurance coverage