Unity Health Toronto - St. Michael's Hospital Substance Use Services provide specialized substance use assessment, treatment, and connection to internal and external community resources for patients experiencing difficulties with substance use in St. Michael’s Hospital Emergency Department, inpatient and outpatient units. The successful candidate for the Peer Support Specialist – Substance Use Services, will be an individual with personal lived experience of addictions issues who is able to engage individuals receiving care in the Emergency Department, and/or inpatient settings. The Peer Support Specialist provides hopeful, recovery-oriented support, shares lived experience to promote wellness, and supports recovery-oriented outcomes within the Substance Use Disorder–Integrated Care Pathway (SUD-ICP) programs.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Facilitates recovery by providing hope, encouragement, and supporting self-determination to individuals seeking substance use care, including those in crisis within the Emergency Department
- Shares personal recovery journey and experiences to support individuals in their own recovery
- Provides 1:1 support in developing personalized wellness and recovery plans, including identifying immediate needs during ED visits
- Provides social, emotional, and practical support to individuals, presenting to the Emergency Department and/or inpatient units
- Supports engagement and assists with de-escalation of distress using non-judgmental, recovery-oriented approaches
- Collaborates with interprofessional teams, service users, and supports in the development and implementation of individualized recovery plans
- Assists individuals in accessing substance use, mental health, and community supports, including navigation from ED to community services
- Works to bridge the gap between service users and providers, advocating for patient needs and perspectives
- Serves as a role model and provides education to staff on the lived experience perspective within ED care
- Participates in care planning meetings, team huddles, and documentation in accordance with hospital standards
- Participates in quality improvement, evaluation, and program development activities related to peer support services in the ED
- Provides education to stakeholders regarding peer support and recovery-oriented care
- Participates in ongoing professional development and networking with community peer support organizations
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Personal lived experience of substance use issues is required
- Knowledge of issues impacting individuals with substance use and concurrent challenges is required
- Demonstrated ability to communicate with clients, families, service providers, and interprofessional teams
- Demonstrated ability to develop helping relationships with individuals in diverse and complex situations
- Ability to support individuals in crisis and use de-escalation and engagement strategies
- Understanding of social determinants of health and experience working with marginalized populations
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, interprofessional Emergency Department environment
- Facilitator training in WRAP, LifeRing, or similar programming preferred
- Peer Support Specialist certification preferred
- Relevant continuing education in addictions preferred
- Recent peer support experience, preferably in healthcare or acute care settings, preferred
- Excellent attendance and punctuality record
