London ACT 2
Parkwood Institute Mental Health Care - London, ON
Full Time
Salary Range: $32.45 - $38.19 /hour

The Peer Support Associate is a fully integrated member of the ACT multidisciplinary team. A non-clinical role, the Peer Support Associate will use their lived experience as a recipient of mental health services to share their personal and practical experience, knowledge, and 'first-hand' insight to benefit the team and its clients. The Peer Support Associate works directly with ACT clients to provide expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by clients to live a satisfying life. This role collaborates with ACT team members to promote a team culture that recognizes, understands, and respects each client's point of view, experiences, and preferences. The Peer Support Associate will assist with maximizing client choice, self-determination and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of treatment, rehabilitation and support services. They will provide peer counseling and consultation to individual clients, families, and team staff; act as a liaison with community resources; carry out rehabilitation and support functions in alignment with the ACT model; and assist in treatment, substance abuse services, education, support and consultation to families, as well as crisis recognition and intervention.


Essential Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in a health related or social services discipline
• 2 years' experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness
• 1 year experience in a similar role in community mental health is an asset
• Related mental health experience in a community or hospital setting
• Training in Peer Support Work
• Knowledge of a Safety Culture in a Health Care Setting in compliance with the OHSA
• Knowledge of educational principles for adults
• Problem solving skills
• Strong communication and facilitation skills both verbal, written and presentation
• Collaborative skills in working with diverse groups
• Strong observation skills
• Strong organizational ability, critical thinking and goal setting skills.
• Knowledge and experience applying the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation in recovery
• Group leadership skills and experience
• Awareness of signs and avenues of support for those at risk of suicide
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience with Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP)
• Ability to observe boundaries, refrain from dual relationships with clients, maintain confidentiality, and engage in reasonable self-care strategies designed to reduce stress by balancing work/life responsibilities
• Demonstrated knowledge skills and ability to apply the core values and principles of peer support practice including but not limited to hope and recovery, self-determination, empathetic and mutual relationships, dignity, respect, social inclusion, health and wellness and personal growth
• Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPA requirements
• Ability to travel extensively within the catchment area

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in French would be an asset
• Bachelor's degree in a health related or social services discipline
• Peer Support Certificate or Peer Support Core Competencies Training through Peer Support Canada

Teaching and Research

• St. Joseph's Health Care London through its affiliation with Western University and Fanshawe College is a leading research and teaching hospital. As an employee of St. Joseph's, you will be expected to engage in role related teaching and research activities in addition to any of your clinical duties

Immunization Requirements

• Provide vaccination records or proof of immunity against measles, mumps rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B, COVID-19 and influenza.
• Provide documentation of the Tuberculosis skin testing