Recovery Community Centre Peer Coach – L. CoH

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.

1. 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/ Supervisor and Withdrawal Management Team concerning each individual’s progress.
• Collaboration 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.

1. Service Responsibilities:

• Complete all duties in accordance with the principles, standards and policies & procedures of The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope.
• Assist in the delivery of programs and services offered at the Recovery Community Centre.
• Perform other position related duties as required.
• 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 maintained at all times.
• 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 maintained at all times.
• 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.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and make decisions both independently and collaboratively as required.
• 1. Health and Safety
  • Responsible to work in compliance with the Ontario Health & Safety Acts and Regulations
  • 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 to work in compliance with the Ontario Health & Safety Acts and Regulations
  • Responsible to use personal protective equipment and clothing as directed by the employer
  • Responsible to report workplace hazards and dangers
  • Responsible to work in a manner as required by the employer and use the prescribed safety equipment
  • Responsible to report workplace injuries or illness
  • • The Supervisor will set the hours of work and work schedule.
    • Provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required. The screening is secured either through the National Canadian Policy Information Centre (CPIC) or through a local police detachment.
    • Screening through the Salvation Army Abuse Registry.
    • Support for and an understanding of the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada.
    • Understanding the recovery continuum consideration of individual circumstances can be explored.WORKING CONDITIONS

    Normal hours of work – may vary as per operational requirements and responsibilities, and includes a ½ hour paid meal break where applicable.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Certification through Peer Support Canada or a willingness to obtain this certification.
• 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 and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• 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.
• Peer support training & best practices for peer support would also be an asset.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and disciplined.
• Experience/Working knowledge in word processing; spread sheet use

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

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation.

If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.

Internal Applicants, please advise Department Heads of your intentions prior to submitting your application