In this position, you will engage in collaborative work within the community, with: HAMSMaRT, Refuge Newcomer Health, Shelter Health Network, Canadian Mental Health Association and Good Shepherd, Hamilton as part of the Primary Care Access and Attachment Team (PCAAT). This team will be focused on connecting with vulnerable populations to increase access and attachment to Primary Care.

The Mobile Peer Support Worker will be working within PCAAT, a community-based hub of interdisciplinary professionals providing on-the-spot care to clients, collaborating with their circles of care, and improving overall health outcomes of marginalized individuals. In this position you will be employed by Good Shepherd, with day-to-day operational accountability to both Good Shepherd and your Program Site. At Good Shepherd, our services include emergency food, transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs.

The work of PCAAT is based on a fundamental belief in promoting hope and dignity to the most under-served members of our community. You will be working with our patients/clients, visitors, and staff by providing comprehensive primary healthcare services, including health promotion, disease prevention, treatment of injury and illness, consultation, and support.

Good Shepherd and PCAAT are committed to integrating Harm Reduction into our all of our services and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances. By integrating a Harm Reduction framework within PCAAT, we can decrease barriers to service and better support some of our community's most marginalized members.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Provide individual face-to-face, crisis and group support to clients, as required
• Facilitate peer groups/workshops in coping techniques and skill development
• Assist clients in constructive and therapeutic activities during their engagement with PCAAT
• Assist clients with symptom management, self-care and positive coping techniques
• Support with systems and referral navigation
• Provide information about self-help programs and consumer initiatives in the community
• Provide messages of hope and encouragement to clients, within the limits of appropriate boundaries
• Make suggestions about resources (books, workbooks, audios, videos) that may have therapeutic value for clients
• Commit to the use of the Recovery and Harm Reduction Models of care
• Collaborate with PCAAT and community partners to promote access and attachment to Primary Care

In addition, the role involves triaging, communicating, and collaborating with hospitals and community health services, allied social services, and facilitating connections with primary care physicians as needed. Collaborating with fellow PCAAT members and community stakeholders, providing supportive counseling, navigating systems, and participating in community activities.

What You'll Bring to Our Team

• Consumer/survivor or lived experience of the mental health and/or addictions systems.
• Must understand the Recovery model, and ability to relate to persons in crisis.
• Knowledge and ability to work within a Harm Reduction framework
• Knowledge of and experience working with community-based agencies and services
• Preference will be given to candidates with training in Peer Support

• CPR/First Aid certification and WHMIS training or willingness to be trained.
• Experience working with mental health, addiction, and concurrent disorders
• Experience and sensitivity in working with culturally diverse populations including individuals newly arrived in Canada
• Committed to intersectional anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Outgoing and adaptable to working in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Creativity and flexibility in achieving desired outcomes.
• Hospitable in dealings with clients and other key stakeholders
• Available, respectful and responsive to the needs of others
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to with various record keeping technologies including Electronic Medical Record programs

What We Offer

• Be a part of a caring TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
• Support for continuing EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and EMPLOYEE /
• FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING atmosphere
• Make a difference and provide HOPE
• Extended benefits

We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, and its partners are an equal opportunity employer operating within an intersectional anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve. We commit to breaking down barriers to employment related to systemic oppression and discrimination in support of the unique contributions each individual can bring based on their experiences.

We are committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances.

Good Shepherd welcomes and encourages applications from all people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you need accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 905-528-5877.

Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination policy. More information on the full policy requirements and accommodation allowances will be provided to those selected for an interview