Peer Advocate (Mental Health and Substance Use)

Salary Details
The salary range for this position is CAD $33.46/Hr. - CAD $35.31/Hr.
Job Summary

Come work as a Peer Advocate with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) in Vancouver, BC! Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a patient/client and family-centred framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, the Peer Advocate works as a member of community-based team to provide peer-based individual and group support and information sessions to a designated client population/community. Provides advocacy for client friendly services free of discrimination and barriers and supports clients and their support network with locating health, social and legal services for the designated client population/community. Develops relationships based on respect, provides outreach services and organizes venues and materials for educational sessions. Assists with coordinating peer support program, performs word processing duties, assists with research and other special projects, maintains and compiles statistics, participates in committees, task groups, and/or corporate initiatives and engages in and assists the Coordinator, Team Lead, Manager with on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

ACT is a team-based, person-centered service delivery model that combines treatment, rehabilitation and support services using transdisciplinary team-based care as a community alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. These teams provide intensive, specific and continuous services to meet the needs of individuals living with serious and persistent mental health and/or substance use challenges, who have not benefited from traditional outpatient programs. ACT teams bring health care and life-skills support to clients, all of whom would have challenges accessing health care and other social supports. ACT uses a trauma informed approach to promote recovery through community-based treatment and rehabilitation. The ACT team strives to support clients to maintain wellness in the community, reduce the number of client contacts with police, access substance use supports and harm reduction, and improve the quality of life for clients.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Diploma in a Community Social Services and two (2) years’ recent related experience advocating and/or providing support to the designated client population/community, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Completion of a recognized Peer Support Training Program.

A valid BC driver's license may be required as local travel may require the use of a vehicle.

Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to individuals identifying as a person with lived/living experience with mental health and/or substance use.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of the values and competencies of peer work for the designated client population/community.

Demonstrated knowledge of peer-to-client self-disclosure.

Knowledge of health concerns for the designated client population/community.

Knowledge of the substance use recovery and harm reduction system in British Columbia.

Ability to establish and maintain rapport with a diverse range of community members, volunteers, and with health, social and legal service providers for the designated client population/community.

Ability to communicate effectively/tactfully both verbally and in writing.

Ability to organize and prioritize.

Ability to work under the pressure of interruptions and adapt to changes.

Knowledge of Indigenous Cultural Safety.

Knowledge of traditional healing practices.

Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of harm reduction in a health care setting.

Demonstrated knowledge of LGBTQ2S+ services and programs in the community.

Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed practice.

Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.

Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings with diverse populations.

Ability to problem solve and take initiative, ability to provide work direction.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a interdisciplinary team.

Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, and advocacy.

Ability to compose business correspondence, ability to do basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.

Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Closing Statement

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process. WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?:VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and 'going first' when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting. ***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.