Peer Support Worker | MHSU

Position Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a relief full-time Peer Support Worker I who has personal experience with mental illness to join the Mental Health Substance Use (MHSU) team at the Penticton Health Centre. This relief position is until March 31, 2027, or return of the incumbent.

Who are we looking for?

This is a peer support position for applicants who have experienced our system as a client living with substance use and who is passionate about sharing their experiences in order to support others who also have experienced substance use/mental illness. Using a team-based, multi-disciplinary model of care, you will serve Adults and Youth with moderate to severe substance use who may or may not have a mental illness and/or be homeless.

We are looking for a compassionate, authentic, and recovery-oriented individual who brings meaningful lived experience with mental health challenges, substance use, or concurrent disorders, along with a strong understanding of the recovery journey and health system navigation. The ideal candidate is someone who can draw on their personal experiences in a thoughtful and purposeful way to build trusting relationships, provide encouragement and emotional support, and empower individuals to identify and pursue their own wellness and recovery goals.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, respect for individual choices and self-determination, and the ability to support people in developing confidence, independence, self-advocacy, and life skills. A successful candidate is comfortable working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, navigating community resources and services, and supporting individuals experiencing complex challenges with dignity, empathy, and respect. The candidate will also demonstrate sound judgment, an understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries, and the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to situations requiring additional support or intervention.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and an attractive remuneration package
• Career Growth
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation (per collective agreement)
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Contribution to Municipal Pension Plan
• Balanced lifestyle

What will you work on?

This is a peer support position for applicants who have experienced our system as a client living with substance use and who is passionate about sharing their experiences in order to support others who also have experienced substance use/mental illness. Using a team-based, multi-disciplinary model of care, you will serve Adults and Youth with moderate to severe substance use who may or may not have a mental illness and/or be homeless.

The Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Peer Support Worker (PSW) supports people accessing Interior Health MHSU services to identify and reach their self-determined wellness goals, by utilizing their lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use challenges, or concurrent mental health and substance use challenges, and knowledge of health system navigation and process of recovery.

The PSW works as a member of an interdisciplinary team with the client (person), family members and MHSU team members. The PSW contributes to the development and enactment of a care plan, facilitates wellness and recovery action planning, and provides emotional support, encouragement and validation for current experiences, using a lens of lived experience and knowledge of the process of recovery. Services may be provided in a variety of environments depending on the needs of the person.

Scheduling Information:

Shifts of work are Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:30 hours.

How will you create an impact?

Joining our IH team will allow you to challenge yourself professionally while enjoying all the personal pursuits available to you within this fantastic community.

Reasons to Apply at Interior Health... What we can do for you

We offer a work environment conducive to growth and development of strong clinical skills and a work environment that supports and promotes psychological health & safety for all. We offer the opportunity to have a balanced lifestyle that allows you to maintain the quality of life you desire.

If this opportunity is aligned with your experience, training and passion for mental health, apply today!

Qualfications
Education, Training and Experience:

• Lived experience in recovery, from one of the below as required/assigned by the position, including demonstrated engagement in a self-defined recovery process:
o mental health challenges (i.e., living with a mental illness or has experienced problems with mental health), or
o substance use challenges (i.e., living with a substance use disorder or has experienced problems with substance use), or
o concurrent mental health and substance use challenges

• Certificate in a social services program or other field relevant to the position.

• One (1) year recent related experience working with the assigned client population(s) experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Appropriate valid BC driver’s license (Class 5).

As part of your application, please ensure to:

• Upload your resume, cover letter (if Out of Province indicate if you are relocating to the area and when)
• Upload a copy of your Diploma/Certificate

“Please ensure that all required documentation is uploaded with your application, including your Certificate/ Diploma/Degree or Masters and any other certificates identified in the job posting. Failure to provide the required documentation in a timely manner may result in delays to the hiring process and, if an offer of employment is made, may delay your start date until all required documentation has been received.”