The Concurrent Disorders Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program is a new innovative partnership initiative between Unity Health Toronto (St. Michael’s Site) and Toronto Public Health. The program relies on an inter-professional team to provide community-based assertive community treatment services (home visits, community visits) to individuals living with serious mental illness and substance use disorders in downtown Toronto.

The Peer Support Worker using the Recovery Model and their experience as a consumer/survivor, provides community based support to clients with mental illness and substance use disorder. The Peer Support Worker assists clients to connect with community supports and services, provides recreational and peer support groups and other tasks as needed to support clients in their recovery process.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works collaboratively with professional staff to facilitate wellness skill development for people with lived experience of mental illness and /or addictions through teaching courses, leading groups, and providing coaching and mentorship.
• Provides people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions with support in completing personalized plans for education, wellness, and recovery.
• Supports people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions
• Engages in team consultations to provide input from people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions to professional staff.
• Assists with ongoing program development tasks, especially those focusing on issues for people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions and peer support role.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement strategies.
• Educates community service providers and other stakeholders regarding relevant mental health issues, consumer issues, and the peer support specialist role.
• Networks with community groups for people with lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions as necessary.

Qualifications Include:

• Lived experience of recovering from a mental illness, substance use disorder and/or homelessness challenges and be able of utilize their personal wellness and recovery journey to offer peer support.

• Lived experience with receiving psychiatric and/or substance use treatment and care required

• Experience conducting home and community visits, facilitating community group outings, leading Life Ring and WRAPs groups preferred.

• At least one year as a Peer Support Specialist paid work experience in a hospital or community mental health setting preferred

• Peer Support Canada’s certification, Peer Support Specialist certification and Peer Support Mentor Certification preferred

• Peer Support Specialist role related training including WRAP Facilitator Certificate Level 1 and WRAP Facilitator Certificate Level 2 and Hearing Voices certification preferred

• Peer Support Specialist role related training in Life Ring for those with substance use preferred.

• Current CPR certification preferred

• Demonstrated capability to respect boundaries, effectively manage emotions, avoid dual relationships with clients, uphold strict confidentiality, and practice sensible self-care techniques aimed at mitigating stress while balancing professional and personal obligations

• Strong knowledge of local community resources and past advocacy experience preferred

• Very good verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work well within a team environment, including giving and receiving feedback

• Ability to assume a supportive role in client-worker relationship using the recovery approach

• Interest and/or experience in educational activities to promote the Peer Support role

• Available to work weekdays 8am to 4pm

• Good attendance record

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.