PEER

* JOB POSTING *

Position: PEER
Department: Indigenous-led Mobile Healthcare Clinic
Site: Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg, Inc. (AHWC) in the Neeginan Centre
Address: 181 Higgins Avenue
Reports to: Director of the Mobile Healthcare Clinic
Status: We may hire up to 6 PEERS fulfilling 1.0 FTE to allow for work-life balance. Shifts are flexible and may range between 4-6 hrs per shift.
Hours of Work: 11AM-7PM Tuesday – Friday; Saturday’s 9AM-4:30PM
Union: Term Contract (Non-unionized position)
Salary: $25.00/hour
Date: Immediately– March 31, 2025 (with the possibility of extension)

JOB OVERVIEW

The Mobile Healthcare Clinic offers a point of access into the health system specifically for vulnerable and unsheltered community members, who otherwise experience inequitable healthcare access. Travelling and parking near encampments, shelters, and bridges where the need is greatest, offering immediate and ongoing primary care treatment and prevention, is the purpose of the mobile clinic.

PEERS have gone through a process of recovery/wellness and assist others with mental health challenges/substance use to identify and achieve life goals as part of their recovery. PEERS use strength-based and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, promote self-determination, and instill hope.

PEER are a non-clinical support to the person and as such is intended to be a comfort to the person, a resource for individualized community supports, and a source of practical recovery/wellness information.
Drawing from AHWC’s mission statement and values, the PEER will work as a member of a diverse, inter-professional team. They will be a welcoming, kind, and compassionate front-line person for community members when they visit the Indigenous-led Mobile Healthcare Clinic to access supports during their healing journey.

PEER should demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the histories, traditions, and cultures of Indigenous peoples, inclusive of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Communities and Nations, including an understanding of the importance of decolonizing healthcare systems and spaces.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• In-depth knowledge of recovery and peer support movements
• Follow protocols, establish contact with individuals and orient them to the PEER support role, including an understanding of the non-clinical role and voluntary nature of peer support
• Welcomes and supports all Indigenous - First Nation, Inuit, and Métis – and non-Indigenous community members entering AHWC / Mobile Healthcare Clinic, including people who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and persons who live with disabilities; sees to their immediate comfort
• Nurtures a judgement-free, shame-free environment, focused on harm-reduction and the journey of healing that the individual has defined for themselves
• Emphasizes culturally sensitive, culturally relevant, person-centered care
o Knowledge of social issues such as poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, substance use, mental health/illness, racism, and other challenges faced by Indigenous populations in Winnipeg resulting from past & current colonial harms
• Gives community members hope and encouragement using strength-based, recovery-supporting language
• Delivers safe practices in accordance with: AHWC’s program standards, policy and procedural operations, and organizational values; Mobile Healthcare Clinic’s program standards; Regional Health and Provincial protocols
• Facilitates crowd control and Mobile Healthcare Clinic flow, including for community members waiting to be seen and those who have been seen but are being monitored during the 15-minute, post-visit window
• Ensures that signage is in place and visible, including Mobile Healthcare Clinic instructions and clinic flow, as appropriate
• Works in collaboration with team for Mobile Healthcare Clinic and reports operational issues as advised
• Monitors and maintains stock, and keeps print resources, patient education, and work areas in an orderly fashion
• Completes snack preparation, in accordance with site specific guidelines
• Assists in response to emergencies by being familiar with the fire plan, emergency procedures, safety protocols, and location of emergency equipment, etc.
• Works in collaboration with Director of the Mobile Healthcare Clinic and reports operational issues as advised
• Attends staff meetings as required
• Completes other duties that may be assigned (be a ‘Helper’) when required as part of the Mobile Healthcare Clinic team, not exceeding stated skills and capabilities

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Knowledge and experience in providing trauma-informed peer support
• Extensive experience with, or knowledge of local community substance use/mental health and other resources, including formal and informal supports
• Skills in collaborative documentation
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and multiple clinical operations
• Must be able to function effectively in a fast-moving environment with frequent interruptions
• Provide information on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, crisis planning and prevention, and empowerment tools as requested by the person
• Provide information links regarding resources in the community as requested
• Collaborate with individuals, promote self-advocacy, and support individuals to advocate for themselves
• Recognizes critical situations and brings these to the immediate attention of relevant staff
• Is attentive to community members waiting around the Mobile Healthcare vehicle to ensure the safety of everyone concerned
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Basic computer skills

DECISION MAKING

• Ability to distinguish between circumstances in which decisions can be made independently and those where consultation is needed
• Ability to determine the best recommendations to make when approached for advice or resources
• Decisions regarding how to obtain information to make informed recommendations when necessary

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

• Days, evenings, and weekend shifts
• Must be able to function effectively in a fast-moving environment with frequent interruptions
• Must be able to do moderate lifting and a lot of walking and standing
• Should have good coping skills and stress management

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school or an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience deemed acceptable by AHWC.
• Experience working with diverse populations

All positions are subject to Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry checks. Applicants may be required to undergo testing to determine the knowledge, skill, and ability required for position.

AHWC is committed to equity and inclusion and is on an earnest journey to increase responsiveness to Indigenous peoples by promoting a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, those with personal and/or familial lived experience, and members of equity-seeking groups. Qualified applicants are encouraged to self-declare in their application.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: June 17, 2024, or when position is filled
Please submit cover letter, resume, and three work related references to:
Laiza at [email protected]