The Department of Emergency Medicine in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for 8 Peer Support Workers. This Fixed Term Recurring Part-time position is for approximately 28 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the Principal Investigator.

The Peer Support Worker will be primarily responsible for delivering peer support to emergency department patients seeking care for a substance related concern in adult emergency departments in Calgary. They will use their own lived experience with addictions along with best practices in Peer Support to inspire hope, offer mentorship, advocate for patient needs and connect patients to appropriate community resources. They will use principles of patient centeredness approaching patients from a strengths-based framework that is trauma informed and culturally sensitive. They will act as a liaison to help assess patient goals and patient self-assessments with respect to validated addictions severity tools as well as assessing change using the Recovery Capital Tool, BARC-10, the PROM-AR tool or similar tools.

No minimum number of hours is set for this position. The Peer Support Worker will be required to work on a flexible schedule as determined by the Principal Investigator. This may include evenings, weekends and some overnight shifts.

Ability to perform 6-8 hours of computer work alongside 6-8 hours telephone work.
Physical ability to move around the emergency department and assist with minimal lifting or moving of patient belongings
Is aware of potential exposure to environmental conditions commonly experienced in the emergency department including: blood and body fluids, airborne pathogens, exposure to moderate-loud noises, frequent interruptions, fluorescent lights and physical concerns related to works spaces/desk work around the emergency department

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Direct Patient Interaction:

• Serve as an active member of the patient's University of Calgary Department of Emergency medicine team while the patient is in the ED (i.e., provide warm handoff to inpatient/community support workers)
• Assure that all interactions and assessments build on the patients' strengths and resiliencies
• Support the patient to identify their options and participate in decisions related to establishing and achieving recovery goals
• Support the patient develop problem-solving skills so they can respond to challenges in their recovery, as appropriate
• Support patient through role modelling, to establish/re-establish and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships with health care providers, as well as persons, such as family members, significant others, friends and/or family members of choice
• Assist with linkage to and systems navigation to providers, programs and services that facilitate the patients process of identifying and addressing their barriers to engaging in medical treatment, as well as addictions care
• Obtain and share clinically relevant information with relevant the emergency medicine Health Care Provider to inform admission or discharge, with patient's permission (i.e., substance use, substance withdrawal, medical history missed or overlooked, housing, social supports, safety, etc.)
• Provide a model for staff and physicians demonstrating that recovery is possible and provide education regarding the damaging role of stigma plays in undermining recovery
• Actively promote and facilitate education and awareness of a peer support worker role, recovery-oriented and general addictions care, and role model person directed care
• As applicable, attend and participate in regular clinical case reviews and staff meetings
• As applicable and per operational leadership direction, participate in patient care planning (ED triage, rounds, case conference, etc.)

Advocacy:

• Serve as the patient's individual advocate
• Advocate within systems to promote person-centred addictions support services
• Assure that the patients choices define and drive their recovery planning process, and recovery goals
• Support patient experience through advocating on behalf of patients to other Health Care Providers (i.e., physicians, nurses, social workers, protective service officers and community providers).

Mentoring, Liaison & Evaluation:

• Engaging with patients while they are in the Emergency Department experiencing concerns related to issues of addiction/substance misuse and serve to supports in helping individuals with their self-determined goals and personal recovery plan
• Serve as a role model of a person in recovery (demonstrate healthy behaviours expected of a person in recovery)
• Establish and maintain a "peer" relationship, rather than a hierarchical relationship
• Promote social learning through shared experiences, as appropriate
• Supports patients with completing self-administered tools specific to substance use disorder, while patient is in the Emergency Department (i.e., the Recovery Capital Tool, BARC-10 and/or PROM-AR)
• Support patients in identifying and communicating their self-identified priorities/issues. Work collaboratively with the patient and Health Care Provider team to address patient centered goals and identify solutions

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Completion of grade 12 education or equivalent
• Lived experience with addiction(s) with two years of sobriety (must identify in cover letter).
• Must be able to identify and willing to share one's personal recovery journey experience
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with diverse and marginalized populations (work, practicum or volunteer)
• Demonstrated familiarity with Indigenous communities, history, and culture an asset
• Strong affiliation with Indigenous communities across Western Canada, and extensive knowledge on indigenous cultures
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills (i.e., active listening, patient communication, strength-based approach)
• Demonstrate knowledge of systemic issues, such as poverty and stigma
• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to organize and prioritize competing demands
• Understand and apply information and communication technologies, such as Connect Care, Microsoft Suite including Outlook for emails and data collection tools such as Red Cap
• Completion of a peer support training program is an asset
• Demonstrate self-awareness and self-reflection to support working in a respectful manner alongside other team members in a collaborative manner to make and maintain relationships
• Have an interest in the emergency department and the unique environment it presents as a workplace
• Have a strong self-care plan and/or work to develop one as part of this role
• Have an interest in capturing stories, working with a research team and applying evaluations-based approaches to measure the impact of peer support work in the ED (no prior research experience required. Training will be provided)