Peer Support Worker (Psw) - Chilliwack General Hospital (Cgh)

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities.

Our team of 45,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care. Learn more .

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Fraser Health is proudly recognized as a BC Top Employer . Joining our team offers you opportunities to work in a rapidly growing organization with health professionals who are excellent in their respective fields, career growth and advancement, a competitive compensation package (including four weeks of vacation to start, comprehensive health benefits, and pension plan), and the rewarding opportunity to make a difference every single day in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021 all staff for all positions across health care in British Columbia are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and there are no exceptions.

Fraser Health values diversity in the work force and strives to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable, and culturally safe manner.

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Detailed Overview

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values for Fraser Health (FH), the Peer Support Worker (PSW) shares their own consumer knowledge and lived/living experience of substance use and mental health to assist patients within the health care patient journey.

The PSW identifies themselves as peers, and collaborates with the patient and the assigned team to meet the individual's needs and situational requirements. The PSW provides information from a lived experience perspective in order to assist patients to obtain services from other FH staff, external service providers and community resources more effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assists with patient transport (walking or wheelchair) within the Emergency Department or to diagnostic areas with permission from the primary nurse.
• Assists patients to meet individual aspects of their life, including mental health, substance use and other health conditions by methods of hearing information and lived experience perspective, practical problem-solving and links to peer supports and consumer advocacy groups.
• Helps facilitate, advocate and stabilize individuals through Harm Reduction principles when patients use own substances while advocating for opioid agonist treatment and other pharmaceutical alternatives. Follows FH policy regarding personal substance use.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Supports connections between patients with care team, site resources, community services and natural supports
• Greet visitors and others in accordance with established safety, security and infection control procedures and guidelines; provide information, as per FOIPPA guidelines and/or redirect to appropriate person or area for information.
• Shares appropriate information with appropriate FH multidisciplinary team.
• Ensures patients have proper clothing for discharge by using clothing donation cupboards.
• Maintains an awareness of current community resources including health care services, educational services and resources and alignment with other agencies within the health care multidisciplinary team (iHART, Social Work, Psychiatry, PERC, community shelters etc.).
• Participates in program planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting by attending meetings and providing input
• Prepares and maintains written and electronic documentation, including progress and communication notes and Patient Safety and Learning System (PSLS) reports. Ensures referral forms are completed and sent to appropriate referral programs/services.
• Checks and restock supplies as required and assist in taking inventory when working alongside of Health Care Aide (HCA) or Health Care Support Worker (HCSW).
• Assists the multi-disciplinary team with de-escalation of patients.
• Creates safe spaces to have confidential conversations with patients.
• Assists patients with integration into community and site services
• Navigates online resources and patient education health links.
• Connects with patients, getting to know them as unique individuals, and clarifies the role of the PSW. Provides information to patients regarding empowerment, self-help education, practical information, resources and life-skills in accordance with patients care pathways.
• Supports patients who are using substances, facilitates drug checking and use of safer consumption kits. Engages in indepth conversations about overdose risk and substance use safety options and planning. Provides safer injection kits, TNN Kits and other harm reduction supplies.
• When applicable, collaborates with Social Work to assist patients with navigating housing options, justice system, social services.

Qualifications

Education, Training & Experience

Grade 12, plus one (1) year's lived and/or living experience with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental illness and one (1) year's recent, related work/peer support experience in substance use, mental health, homelessness or health services navigation, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.