Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Peer Support - Oxford Wellness Centre

Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Peer Support – Oxford Wellness Centre Direct Service - (OPSEU) Full-Time, Contract (End Date: March 31, 2026) *Two positions available* Woodstock, Ontario (Oxford Zone) - Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 - We believe that change is possible, for those who are concerned with their substance use and ready to explore options of support. The Peer Support Worker, Oxford Wellness Centre performs duties and responsibilities consistent with the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation, a recovery-oriented practice, and an evidence-based peer support model. This role requires special training and skill development to use lived experience and other skill sets to support others. This is a non-clinical role. While working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Peer Support Worker lends their expertise including lived experience of substance use and/or homelessness to support individuals in their unique journeys toward recovery. This is done in the areas of community inclusion, service engagement, and wellness promotion through individualized one-to-one support and group facilitation. This position will also provide support both on-site at the Oxford Wellness Centre or in the greater community as well as to other HART Hub sites within Oxford County, as needed. These programs provide care under the Terms & Conditions outlined by the Ministry of Health for Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub care providers. Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team! WHAT WE'RE OFFERING: What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated): Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement Premiums of $2.00 will be applied for eligible Evening/Night and Weekend Shifts When you'll work - 70 hours biweekly; rotating days, afternoons, evenings and weekends Your pension plan –Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) What your benefits will be – 9% in lieu of benefits HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Supporting People Engaging with Services: Act in accordance with the Guiding Standards of Peer Support (comprised of Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Values of Peer Support, Centre for Innovation in Peer Support’s Peer Support Values in Action, Peer Support Canada’s (PSC) Code of Conduct, Principles of Practice & Core Competencies) Model effective coping techniques and positive self-help strategies based on recovery and wellness principles Facilitate a strengths-based approach to care that emphasizes the importance of safety, respect, hope, self-determination, and empowerment Facilitate social/support/life skills groups based on identified needs of peers served Establish and maintain supportive relationships with people engaging with Oxford Wellness Clinic and Peer Support services Maintain healthy boundaries within the supportive, collaborative peer working relationship Support a person-directed care philosophy and facilitate a trauma- and violence-informed, strengths-based approach to care that emphasizes the importance of safety, respect, hope, self-determination, and empowerment Selectively share lived/living experiences with people engaged with our services when this is of service to them Encourage people engaging with services and support them in their wellness planning and goal achievement, including support with relapse prevention, overdose prevention, etc. as appropriate Negotiate ways to provide services that facilitate empowerment in life decisions, and resists creating dependencies Advocate with and, if necessary, for, people engaging with our services Provide reassurance and support when there are experiences of crisis or distress Support the exploration of choices and options with people engaging with our services, including the potential benefits of connecting with other community and clinical services Encourage peer’s ideas and projects with a sensitivity to their worldview, including awareness of diversity Use critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in collaboration with the peer to co-create new ideas and possible actions, rather than providing advice or making decisions for the peer Support navigation of the health and social services systems, including making referrals to other supports when identified by the people engaging with our services Provide gradual support for transition/discharge planning, and ensure opportunity for peer feedback upon program exit Complete internal referrals and intake processes, with and, if necessary, for, peers Create, facilitate, and evaluate social/support/life skills groups based on identified needs and interests of peers served Assist peers navigating access to addiction treatment services, as needed Assist peers navigating access to government programs and systems (e.g., Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, child welfare, community housing) Support external referrals to local and culturally appropriate agencies, programs and services to meet immediate needs (e.g., housing, access to elders, mental health supports, etc.), as needed Other duties as required Communication, Decision-Making & Supervision: When necessary, report on the progress of peers through effective communication and collaboration with other team members Ensure compliance with CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services policies and procedures including Code of Ethics Agreement, Conduct and Behaviour – Safe Space, Workplace Harassment, Workplace Violence, Health & Safety, and Privacy & Confidentiality Ensure compliance with CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services Peer Support Program Values as well as Limits & Boundaries Keep up-to-date on peer support-related topics and evidence-based practices to help inform your work Be an active participant in regular supervision and performance reviews; incorporate feedback to grow and strengthen professional practice WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY: Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC. We require the following qualifications: Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly Valid Driver’s licence and access to a vehicle with at least 2 million in liability insurance to occasionally transport clients Ontario Secondary School Diploma Lived experience of substance use, treatment/rehabilitation and recovery, and maintenance of recovery Experience providing formalized Peer Support in a staff, volunteer, and/or intern capacity Ability to model wellness to peers and share lived-experiences A willingness to share one’s own personal journey, for the purpose of assisting peers in their recovery We prefer the following qualifications: Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada Completed peer support training, education, or certification through Peer Support Canada, PeerWorks, Support House, etc., or equivalent Training in wellness and recovery interventions Successful completion of Level 1 of the OPDI certification is an asset Completion of the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) program or a willingness to participate in the program Training in SafeTALK, ASIST (Applied Suicide Interventions Skills and Training), or Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Current First Aid and CPR certification Mental Health First Aid Group Facilitation: Effective group planning/evaluation, creation and facilitation skills INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address. Get your application in by – September 30, 2025 Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team. We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legal Notifications: For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes