Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation, the Peer Support Program Coordinator is a person who self-identifies as a Peer, meaning a person with lived / living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and / or physical or mental health challenges.

This position acts as a resource for both patients and healthcare providers by providing emotional support and patient advocacy, and promoting health provider relationships that are trauma informed, free of anti-Indigenous racism, and person centered.

They will promote meaningful engagement with Peers for ongoing work in strategic planning, harm reduction, redevelopment and support research centres within Providence Health Care Research Institute, ensuring Peer initiatives follow Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices Guidelines.

The Coordinator establishes meaningful relationships with Peer Workers through identification, training and support of Peer Workers and performs other program administration duties as assigned.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the root and past, present and ongoing harms of colonialism experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and the social, historical, jurisdictional, and lived experience of the cultural context.

Knowledge* of harm reduction, Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices Guidelines.

Knowledge of Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices.

Knowledge of the principles of cultural safety and humility.

Knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.

Knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system and Peer-driven initiatives and interventions, including Indigenized harm reduction initiatives and interventions.

Ability to reflect on the way their lived or living experiences influence, as it is relevant, to their work.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to be solutions-focused, crisis intervention skills, deescalate and resolve conflict.

Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish / maintain effective working relationships and boundaries with coworkers.

To work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.

Ability to practice and respond with humility.

Ability to provide guidance and work direction.

Ability to problem-solve from a trauma informed, person centered approach.

Ability to manage time effectively based on workload.

Ability to operate related equipment, including hardware and software systems, or a willingness to learn these new skills with support from the employer.

Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Education

Lived / living experience relevant to the client group served, such as structural inequity, interpersonal trauma, racism, trauma, substance use, poverty, sex work, and / or physical or mental health challenges.

OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

Duties

Provides day to day coordination and facilitation of Peer Support and provides patient support and advocacy from knowledge and lived / living experience to patients and families across acute and primary care services, and will liaise with existing Peers and / or Volunteers already working across PHC sites (e.

g., acute care, residential services, mental health) and outpatient clinics (i.e., John Ruedy Clinic and the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic) at Providence Health Care.

Works as an embedded team member in the Indigenous Wellness Program and supports patient referrals to the Indigenous Wellness Liaisons, and helps facilitate patient and family access to traditional cultural practices, All Nations Sacred Space, and as required, access to other community health programs, cultural supports, and harm reduction services.

Works to build and maintain relationships with Peers and Harm Reduction Champions, and promotes meaningful engagement with Peers by acting as the point person for ongoing work in strategic planning, harm reduction, redevelopment and research centres within Providence Health Care Research Institute at Providence Health Care, ensuring Peer initiatives follow Peer Engagement Principles and Best Practices Guidelines.

Identifies, orients, supports and provides training opportunities for Peers; identifies opportunities for, and responds to, requests for Peer involvement in PHC and PHCRI initiatives.

This includes scheduling of Peer Worker involvement in any working groups or committee activities, and providing Peer feedback, addressing any concerns, with Manager support, as needed and as required.

interprets policies and advises on any potential changes to policies for quality improvement and service delivery. Formulates new Peer resources in consultation with the Manager and support of other Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation department staff.

obtains feedback and suggestions compiles and distributes reports and required data utilizing word processing, email, spreadsheet and PowerPoint.

Acts as a resource for both patients and health care providers by providing emotional support and advocacy, and supporting referrals to the Indigenous Cultural Safety team to ensure health provider relationships are trauma informed, person and family centered, and embedding principles of cultural safety and humility in the delivery of care services.

Attends regularly scheduled Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation department meetings and provides informal updates to the team on the Peer Support Program.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Providence Health Care acknowledges our work takes place on the traditional, ancestral and unceded homelands of the x?m?

θkw?y??m (Musqueam), S?wx wú7mesh (Squamish), and s?l?ílw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples. We are proud to be in service to the sovereign Nations of these territories and to all Indigenous Peoples in BC.