Peer Support Worker Overnight

Who We Are For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.
Under the direction of the Treatment Assistant Manager – Women’s Treatment, the Peer Support Worker – Women’s Treatment is responsible for afternoon and overnight support and supervision to clients in the women’s unit of Harbour Light’s Treatment Program. All shifts are “awake” shifts. Their core responsibilities may include: clientele relations outside of regular office hours, Step-work group facilitating, direct client contact, administrative co-operation, medication administration.
Monitors the activities of the clients/residents and maintains availability for personal, practical and moral support
Attend in-house 12-step meetings, including Alumni Meeting
Assist in Afterhours Intake Procedures
Support Counsellors with follow-up on clients where there is a direct concern about clients mental health and/or well-being e.g. hourly checks, follow-up check-in’s, UA
Provide and facilitate a weekly Step-Work Group to support clients with their step work required in the Treatment Program
Administer evening or morning medications
Ensure that assistance is given to the client in accessing any outside resources (12-step meetings, SMART Recovery Meetings, Recovery based events)
Monitors the environment and clients/residents to ensure safety and security; completes regular client/resident status checks.
May supervise and/or work alongside volunteers to facilitate recreational activities for clients in the Women’s Treatment unit
facilitate training around chores
Afternoon shift: Ensure that verbal and visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. Overnight shift: Ensure that visual contact is made with each client during each shift and to check-in with each client during their assigned block of shifts. Documentation is essential in dealing with clients in the stabilization unit and treatment program.
Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation
Maintains respectful & ethical relationships with clients and colleagues, in accordance with TSA policies and professional standards
Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Director of Residential Programs, Treatment Program Manager, Treatment Assistant Manager or Clinical Supervisor if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
Ensure that requests to Counsellors and Addiction Support Workers by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager or Director of Residential Programs
May participate in seasonal client/program activities, e.g. client Christmas party, seasonal activities on-site or off-site
Peer Support Workers work in a residential program setting, which includes work in an office, medication room, and in client/program spaces.
Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver’s downtown eastside and in a multi-program facility. Our programs include community meals, 24-hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a correctional residential facility for men on parole, low-income housing, and other services.
PSWs will take precautionary measures such as NVCI training, Mental Health First Aid, universal precautions, and other safety practices/tasks as directed.
Staff may be at risk of physical attacks (e.g. violent/aggressive client acting out physically), exposure to infectious diseases, sharp objects, and/or emergency situations.
This role may occasionally participate in off-site activities with the authorization of their manager.
The performance of the job requires continuously sitting, and a moderate amount of keyboarding.
The performance of the job requires moderate attention when interviewing clients, working with numbers, and frequent documentation.
Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Criminal Record Review Program clearance is required for all positions at Vancouver Harbour Light. Ability to obtain federal Enhanced Security Clearance may be required for this position.
Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood) or B.Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood)
Further education in a related field would be an asset
PeerConnectBC Peer Support Worker Certification (current or willing to be trained)
Naloxone training, First Aid with CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (or willingness to be trained)
Documentation confirming compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control program, per Residential Care Regulations
One year of related experience working with women/female-identifying clients, including experience in an applicable community social services sector
Must display a high level of stability in their personal recovery from substance use and be knowledgeable of relapse prevention strategies
lived experience with 12-step recovery program is a significant asset to this position
Experience working with CAMS or another cloud-based client database is an asset
Knowledgeable of different recovery models and support services
Understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for women in the DTES, including substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence
Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care, particularly in programs serving women/female-identifying clients
Basic skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
Post-probationary: $Casual/ On-call works as needed basis- (Mon-Sun) with 7.5 paid hours and 0.5hrs paid meal break. Morning: 8:00 am to 4:00pm / Afternoon: 4:00pm to 12:00am/ Overnight: 12:00am to 8:00am.
Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.