Peer Worker - Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics (RAAM)

At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is! 

The Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic is a walk-in clinic for those concerned with their substance use and seeking support. We provide low-barrier, quick access to addiction medicine providers, addiction counsellors and peer workers for individuals looking to explore or make changes to their substance use.

** This is a permanent, salaried, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position with paid sick time, personal days, vacation time; group health benefits and defined contribution pension plan.

Schedule Sunday to Wednesday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Thursday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. G class driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle required. Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) is required. **

Key Responsibilities:

·        Greet and welcome participants, build rapport, and create a comfortable and judgement-free atmosphere while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries

·        Frontline de-escalation and conflict resolution to support individuals experiencing challenges related to mental health and addiction

·        Willingness to share personal journey with addiction and recovery in a common area on an ongoing basis.

·        Manage individual caseload (average 6-10 participants), providing individual and system-navigation support. This may involve actively supporting participants with entering other programs.

·        Act as a role model for self care and self-awareness

·        Use a person-centered approach to provide participants with appropriate information on resources in the community

·        Work with/have access to confidential material and maintain compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

·        Facilitate completion of urinary drug screening

·        Work as part of an interdisciplinary team, supporting the participant process, advocating for participants needs, etc.

·        Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activities. Building and maintaining relationships with other programs and organizations within the community.  

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

·        Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and marginalized populations

·        Strong understanding of interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations to develop rapport with individuals who use substances using a strength-based approach

·        Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry

·        Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment

·        Strong communication and listening skills

·        Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team

·        Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected.

·        Commitment to and understanding of the Core Values of Peer Support and the Peer Support Code of Conduct

·        Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative

·        Extensive knowledge of community resources, service and support programs/groups, and barriers participants face in accessing them

·        Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Education/Experience:

·        Minimum College Diploma or University Degree in related field of study required (i.e. social services, social work, addictions, mental health, community development etc.)

·        Peer Support Certification would be considered an asset

·        Has had lived experience with substance use and addiction

·        Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions required

·        Experience with or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs

·        Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery

Critical Skills:

·        Comfort sharing personal experiences with others to inspire hope

·        Ability to manage difficult emotions/triggers prompted by listening to participant’s experiences

·        Ability to work effectively in a wide range of settings including interdisciplinary teams, outreach, RAAM Clinics, hospitals, and other community agencies.

·        Willingness to learn and be adaptable as programs grow and evolve. Opportunity to participate in program development on an as-needed basis.

·        Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills required

·        Possess the skill and confidence to navigate and support persons in crisis situations

·        Demonstrated ability to make good decisions and problem solve complex situations

·        Ability to establish rapport and build appropriate professional relationships

·        Professional, approachable and welcoming demeanor

·        Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude

·        Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges

·        Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

Compensation:

At House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

·        Time off includes three (3) weeks of vacation, 5 personal days and sick credits totaling approximately 12 days per year

·        Full-time benefit plan including Extended Health Care (EHC), Dental, Group Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), Long Term Disability (LTD), Flexible Spending Account and Employee & Family Assistance Program

·        We believe strongly in supporting the mental health of our team members, including providing access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program, $2,000 for counselling services and our workplace Wellness and Psychological Health and Safety programs

·        We help you save for the future by providing a retirement plan that includes a matched Group Pension Plan as well as a Group RRSP and a Group Tax Free Savings Account

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade: 4

Min: $22.18

Mid: $25.40

Max: $28.61

Working Conditions:

·        This role can works primarily daytime, weekday hours

·        Required to work intensively with program participants in emotionally charged situations

·        Required to assess situations and make decisions under pressure with minimal supervision or while working alone

·        Travel within Waterloo Region required

·        Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected.

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

We strive to remove barriers that may prevent qualified applicants from fully participating in the recruitment and selection process. Accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation is available throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:

https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/peer-worker-rapid-access-addiction-medicine-clinics-raam-kitchener-8i1muF

By end of day April 15, 2025.