Temporary Full Time Recovery Community Centre Peer Coach (Union position)

The Recovery Community Centre Peer Coach is responsible for a supportive role for Recovery Community Centre Members and will use their lived experience and extensive recovery training to help others initiate or maintain their recovery journey and help others in creating short and long-term recovery goals.

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Support the recovery plan development and implementation process in unison with the Recovery Community Worker and client.
• Initiate and/ or participate in case conferences, as a forum for problem solving and exploring alternative solutions to service provision.
• Regularly solicit feedback from the individual-served and relevant community supports regarding the individual's wellbeing including, mental health and addictions recovery continuum, including progress towards his/her goals.
• Assess individuals' strengths, abilities, needs and preferences as well as social and environmental factors impacting the individual, and any vulnerability and risk factors, introduce goal planning as a result.
• Provide regular and intensive support and assertive engagement to motivate and support individuals to work towards meeting their goals.
• Act as part of the designated primary team of workers for assigned individuals residing in the recovery community centre pre- and post-treatment transitional rooms.
• Maintain awareness of individuals' Crisis Plan, and communicate support needs associated with the goal of reducing the utilization of EMS, LPS etc.
• Engage in effective "in the moment" behaviour or self-harm contracting as needed.
• Assist and coach individuals in the learning and management/achievement of quality-of-life activities such as: recovery living, daily living, safety and security, healthy lifestyles, social and spirituality, community living and self-determination/advocacy.
• Advocate, refer and connect individuals with appropriate services, supports, and resources (formal and informal) based on their needs.
• Perform all necessary administrative duties for client documentation; complete all computer entries etc. in a timely and effective manner.
• Support an individual's transition to discharge.
• Ensure effective communication with Recovery Community Centre Workers, Manager and Withdrawal Management Team concerning each individual's progress.
• Collaborate with onsite recovery community service providers.
• Participate in the development and implementation of productive and appropriate activities/ programs for clients.
• In the continuum of addiction there are lapse and relapses periods during which staff would be expected to observe, record, assess and manage the behaviours associated.
• Monitor clients and record significant changes in their level of functioning.
• Individual support and group facilitation.
• Alignment with core values of peer support.
  • ability to recognize and draw on the strengths of peers
  • understanding about the impact of trauma
  • experience/understanding of crisis & suicide intervention (ASIST training would be an asset)
  • understanding about appropriate sharing of lived experience
  • ability to build rapport & trust with peers
  • ability to set appropriate boundaries with peers
• Ability to be open and non-judgmental towards clients.
• Maintains a high level of professional boundaries with relationships and service provision roles within the addiction community.
• Actively model and demonstrate participation in their personal balanced recovery continuum.
• Understanding the recovery continuum consideration of individual circumstances can be explored.

General Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of programs and services offered at the Recovery Community Centre.
• Responsible for the contents, upkeep, and tidiness of the supply room - including toiletries, linen/towels, personal hygiene.
• All shifts will make regular rounds throughout the floor, including walking through of common and shared spaces.
• Perform the routine and emergent tasks to maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Ensure all appropriate documentation and records are always maintained.
• Create, implement, and maintain daily communication practices across service team, as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of issues pertaining to individual confidentiality, and consent to release personal information, and processes to ensure individual's confidentiality is always maintained.
• As required and as applicable, make suggestions that will improve efficiency, working conditions or procedures of the Recovery Community Centre Supervisor.
• Responsible to ensure that clients have adequate supplies of needed items to maintain health and well-being, including clothing.
• Follow up on all concerns expressed for individual's well-being and document outcomes accordingly.
• Professionally network and collaborate with community workers and agencies, represent the organization in a professional and engaging manner and assist personnel whom the position supports in developing those skills as required.
• Responsible to ensure that clients return any Centre of Hope belongings upon their departure.
• Enforce agency rules and expectations consistently in accordance with Policies and Procedures including Recovery Community Centre specific guidelines.
• Identify; promote resolution, and management of all emergency situations concerning individuals, staff, and property.
• Work closely with security and front desk staff, identifying any safety and security needs.
• Complete other required documentation (e.g., monthly time sheets, vacations requests, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) within the required time frames.
• Regular individual supervision with ability to debrief which could include participation in peer support community of practice to provides the ability for peer to connect with others who are working from their lived experience.

Health and Safety

• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army's health and safety policies and procedures.
• Work closely with security, identifying any safety and security needs.
• Responsible for the following, work in compliance with the Ontario Health & Safety Act and Regulations, use personal prescribed safety equipment and clothing as directed by the employer, report workplace hazards and dangers, work in a manner as required by the employer, and report workplace injuries or illness.
• Responsible to follow through on all safety and security procedures (including fire) as outlined in the policy and procedures manual.

Perform other position related duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Flexibility in scheduling is required. The work schedule is determined in consultation with your supervisor and may vary according to requirements of responsibility. Applicable shifts include a ½ hour paid meal break. The operational hours of this facility are 24/7.

Shifts: 021-2025: 10:00AM - 6:00PM Sunday to Thursday

End Date: April 1, 2028

• The Manager will set the hours of work and work schedule.

Normal location of work is at: 281 Wellington Street, London, ON N6B 2L4 and outreach locations.

• Certification through Peer Support Canada or a willingness to obtain this certification.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Minimum of two (2) years of prior related experience is required in a variety of social services programs, working with marginalized individuals, human services and direct facilitating and experience in outreach programs and providing formal and informal peer support.
• Three years in active recovery.
• Experience providing formal or informal peer support.
• Lived experience in mental health and/or substance abuse services.
• Career experience in social services, supported housing or with persons with disabilities is an asset.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• Peer support training and best practices for peer support would also be an asset.
• Computer skills specifically MS Office with an understanding of data collection.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and ability to use sound judgement when making decisions both independently and collaboratively as required.
• Strong sense of integrity with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to follow detailed instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain successful working relationships; and to deal with people in a pleasant, professional, and responsible manner.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and disciplined.
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters pertaining to clientele and coworkers of The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope.
• May require screening through the Salvation Army Abuse Registry.
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening.
• Ability and willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

Interested applicants must respond in writing with a cover letter and resume.

Please specify interested posting # in the subject line.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

You must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.